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BULLETIN
OF THE
CALIFORNIA
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
VOLXJMK I I
(Nos. 5-8.)
BAN FEANCISCO:
1887.
/!/■
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Becker, George F. The Wasboe Rocks 93
Bryant, Walter E. Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island . 269
Nest and Eggs of the Evening Grosbeak 449
A New Subspecies of Petrel from Guadalupe Island 450
Unusual Nesting Sites. 1 451
Casey, Thomas L, Kevisiou of the California Species of Lithocharis
and Allied Genera 1
Descriptive Notices of North American Coleoptera. I, Plate?.. 157
On some New North American Pselaphidae. Plate 16 455
Comstock, George C. Provisional Value of the Latitude of the Lick
Observatory 121
Cooper, J. G. West Coast Pulmonata; Fossil and Living. 1 Map. . 355, 497
Corrections to Fossil and Sub-Fossil Land Shells in Vol. 1 376
Curran, Mary K. Priority of Dr. Kellogg's Genus Marah over Megar-
rhiza Torr 521
Davidson, George. Notes on Saturn. Plate 1 73
Transits of the II and III Satellites of Jupiter 89
The Annular Solar Eclipse of March 5, 1886 91
Submarine Valleys on the Pacific Coast of the United States 265
Standard Geodetic Data 319
Early Spanish Voyages of Discovery on the Coast of California. 325
Occultations of Stars by the Dark Limb of the Moon 448
Emerson, W. Otto. Ornithological Observations in San Diego County 419
Glassford, W. A. Weather Types on the Pacific Coast. Plates 2, 3, 4, 5. 77
Greene, E. L. Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent.
IV—
1. On some Cichoriaceous Compositae 41
2. Some Species of Euphorbia $ Anisophyllum 56
3. New Polypetalai 59
Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent. V—
1. Some Genera Which have been Confused Under the
Name Brodiaea 125
2. Miscellaneous Species, New or Noteworthy. Plate 6. . . 144
Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent. VI . . . 377
IV TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Harkness, H. W. Fnugi of the Pacific Coast. V 487
Le Conte, Joseph. The Flora of the Coast Islands of California in
Kelation to Kecent Changes of Physical Geography 515
Parry, C. C. The Pacific Coast Alders 351
Californian Manzanitas 483
Richter, C. Max. Ocean Currents Contiguous to the Coast of Califor-
nia. Plates 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 337
Rivers, J. J, -A. New Species of Californian Coleoptera, with four figures 61
Contributions to the Larval History of Pacific Coast Coleoptera 64
Smith, Rosa. On Tetraodon Setosus, a New Species Allied to Teti'aodon
Meleagris Lacep 155
Wolle, Francis. Desmids of the Pacific Coast 432
Index 525
BULLETIN
CALIFORNIA
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Vol. 2, No. 5.
September, 1886
CONTEiSfTS.
PAGE.
Eevision of the California Species of Lithocharis ancl Allied Genera.
Thos. L. Casey , 1
Studies in the Botanj' of California and Parts Adjacent. IV. Edward
Lee Greene —
1. On Some Chicoriaceous Compositae 41
2. Some Species of Euphorbia § Anisophyllum 56
3. New Polypetalae 59
A New Species of Calif ornian Coleoptera. J. J. Rivers 61
Contributions to the Larval History of Pacific Coast Coleoptera.
J. J. Rivers 64
Notes on Saturn. Geo. Davidson 73
Weather Types on the Pacific Coast.. W. A. Glassford 77
Transits of the II and III Satellites of Jupiter, Geo. Davidson 89
The Annular Solar Eclipse of March 5, 1836. Geo. Davidson 91
ISSUED SEPTEMBER 3d, IBBB.
BULLETIN. |u«B_B^^P'^ 7
No. 5. ''•>^^^TT^^^^<^
California Academy of Sciences.
Revision of the Californian Species of LITHOCHARIS
and Allied Genera.
BY THOS. L. CASEY.
Read Jan. 4th, 1886.
The species assignable to Lithocliaris and allied genera are
extremely abundant in California and are also very numer-
ous individually, so that a review of the forms occurring
here, although not so desirable as a general revision of the
North American species, is, at the same time, amply suffi-
cient to form a systematic basis upon which to found such
an extended work, and probably loses little of what impor-
tance it may possess from the omission of species occurring
east of the Kocky Mountains, as these are comparatively
few in number and not as yet sufficiently collected.
Belonging to the region here considered, there are de-
scribed below twenty-five species, most of which are rather
local in habitat, although a few have an extended range. In
regard to their favorite haunts, little is to be said; they fre-
quent the margins of ponds and water-courses, and are found
amongst decaying vegetable matter, roots of grasses, etc.,
in stony localities, although more abundant in the deep ra-
vines so characteristic of the Coast Mountains. I have
occasionally found particular spots of very limited extent in
1— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 5, Printed January 27, 1886,
^ CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
these ravines, wliere they exist in enormons profusion, not
only individually, but in species indiscriminately mingled;
such for instance was a small area of precipitous rocks cov-
ered with mould, moss and thin grass, in the deep ravine at
Gilroy Springs, Santa Clara County, where a small trickling
stream f i-om one of the sulphurous soda-springs enters the
creek below. Here I obtained hundreds of specimens of
seven distinct species; associated with them were an equal
multitude of Steni represented by several species. This
concentration of insect life, which is one of the peculiarities
of faunal distribution in the Pacific regions, is to be
accounted for in a measure by the nature of the climate,
the long hot summers drying and baking the surface of the
ground, and driving all species, except the comparatively
few especially constituted to withstand such conditions, to
the moist and secluded localities above mentioned.
The stud}^ and proper classification of these varied forms
is a matter of considerable, although by no means of insu-
perable difficulty, there being one important characteristic,
which is of very great aid to the investigator; this is the
facility with which they may be resolved into perfectly defi-
nite, and so far as the material collected will allow of judg-
ment— abruptly limited generic subdivisions. The principal
difficulty, therefore, consists in the proper difierentiation of
the species composing these groups, and which are often
very closely allied; but even here the difficulty is partially
superficial, as when these closely allied forms are separated
and carefully studied, they are found to possess very little
variability, and the individuals of the several species appear
to be unusually uniform throughout extended series.
The genera here considered possess certain characters
in common, among which may be mentioned the rather slen-
der maxillary i^alpi with the third joint very moderately
swollen and the fourth minute, subulate and oblique, but
distinctly visible; the antenniTe also are singularly uniform
in structure throughout, being slender — or very slightly ro-
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 3
bust in Metaxyoclonta — and scarcely perceptibly incrassate.
The nftli abdominal segment is almost invariably equal in
length to the third and fourth together. The labrum differs
throughout, and is, in conjunction with the relative length
of the first joint of the posterior tarsi, made the principal
basis of generic subdivision. It is singular, however, and
a strong proof of the validity of the genera, that these two
fundamental characters are accompanied by other very rad-
ical differences in many of the most important parts of the
body, as well as in completely radical differences in the na-
ture of the male sexual modifications; these are described in
the table of genera given below.
The genera Stilicus, Scopseus, Orus, etc., should pre-
cede those here given in a systematic arrangement of the
Psederi, and are distinguished from them by tlieii' very
strongly dilated third maxillary palpal joint.
San Francisco, Jan. 1st, 18S6.
Note 1.— In estimating the order of the abdominal segments in the follow-
ing pages, the numbers refer to visible segments only.
Note 2. — Separate diaguoses of the various species are not given at present.
as this paper is simply intended as the forerunner of a more general one upon
onr Paederini.
GENERIC DEFINITIONS.
Head slightly narrower than the prothorax, sides parallel; eyes moderate
in size; labrum 4-dentate, the teeth being rather prominent, acute and nearly
equi-distant. Prothorax quadrate; sides parallel or very slightly narrowed
from apex to base. Elytra much longer than the prothorax. First joint of
the posterior tarsi as long as the next two together, or nearly so. Male sex-
ual characters very simple; fifth segment not modified, sixth narrow, with a
small simple sinuation at the apex G-enus Caloderma.
Pronotum longitudinally rugulose Species 1 — 3.
Pronotum finely and generally very densely punctate Species 4 — 8.
Head rather large, slightly wider than the prothorax; eyes, very small; la-
bmm with a very small deep median emargination, slightly wider than deep,
immediately adjoining which there are on each side two approximate and ex-
ceedingly minute acute teeth. Prothorax with the sides convergent pos-
4 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
teriorly. Elytra equal in length to the pronotum. First joint of the posterior
tarsi fully as long as the next two together, Male sexual characters very sim-
ple; fifth segment not modified, sixth narrow with a very small triangular
emargination at the apex (bilobed) Genus Oligopterus..
Species 9.
Head large, distinctly longer and slightly wider than the prothorax, sub-
triangular, very minutely punctate; eyes extremely small, round, on the
sides before the middle; labrum with two short, or long and slender acute
teeth, the edge adjoining them exteriorly being minutely and abruptly sin-
uate, and between them narrowly and rather deeply emarginate. Prothorax
quadrate or slightly wider than long; sides moderately convergent poster-
iorly. Elytra as long as or very slightly longer than the pronotum. First
joint of the ]posterior tarsi much shorter than the next two together. Male
sexual characters rather simple; fifth segment very slightly modified, sixth
deeply and evenly sinuate Genus Lithocharis, Group A.
Species 10 — 13.
Head variable, as wide as or slightly wider than the prothorax, sides par-
allel, punctuation variable; eyes moderate in size; labrum with two small
acute triangular teeth, the edge adjoining them exteriorly being minutely
sinuate, and between them rather deeply emarginate. Prothorax finely and
sparsely punctate with a rather broad median impunctate area; sides parallel
or very feebly convergent posteriorly^. Elytra much longer than the prono-
tum. First joint of the posterior tarsi generally but slightly longer than the
second. Male sexual modification of the fifth segment very complex, the
sixth being rather deeply and roundly emarginate.
Genus Lithocharis, Group B.
Prothorax not longer than wide.
Posterior angles of the head moderately broadly or
rather narrowly rounded.
Head finely and densely punctate Species 14
Head much more sparsely punctate.
Sides of pronotum distinctly convergent x)Osteriorly Species 15
Sides of pronotum parallel or extremely feebly con-
vergent posteriorly Species 16 — 19
Posterior angles of the head very broadly rounded Species 20
Prothorax distinctly longer tbbn wide Species 21 — 23
Head rather small, sub-triangular, veiy minutely alutaceous; eyes very
large, coarsely granulate; labrum rather large, truncate at apex, rounded and
narrowly explanate at the sides, broadly and very feebly sinuate in the mid-
dle, and having a single short, very small, acute median tooth which is slightly
dorsal. Prothorax scarcely as long as wide; sides nearly j)arallel. Elytra
very slightly longer than wide, distinctly longer than the prothorax. First
joint of the posterior tarsi, much shorter than the next two together. Male
sexual modification of the fifth segment simple, of the sixth complex.
Genus Metaxyodonta.
Species 24 — 25.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
CALODERMA u. gen.
The species of this genus present a singularly homoge-
neous appearance, they being distinguished by their very
narrow elongate form, small heads with parallel sides, quad-
rate prothorax and long narrow parallel elytra; the abdom-
inal sculpture is also a distinguishing feature, the transverse
wavy lines of minute sub-asperate punctures being peculiar
to them, although having a tendency to reappear in the
genus Metaxyodonta.
1 — C. rUffOSUm ^- sp. — Slender, moderately convex; sides parallel; color
throngliout piceous; pubescence extremely sparse and scarcely noticeable
upon the head and prothorax, very fine, extremely dense and sericeous on the
elytra and abdomen, pale ochreous in color and very conspicuous; under
surface and legs piceous-brown, the latter slightly paler, tarsi -pale brown;
antennae fuscous throughout. Head short and robust, scarcely longer than
wide; sides parallel, very feebly arcuate; base transversely truncate, basal
angles distinctly rounded; surface feebly and evenly convex, finel}'- and ex-
tremely densely punctate throughout, slightly more sparsely so between the
antennae; punctures round, shallow and sub-annular; eyes at much more
than their own length from the basal angles, moderately prominent; antennae
slender, nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, scarcely percep-
tibly incrassate; basal joint as long as the next two together, second very
slightly shorter and more robust than the third, tenth slightly longer than
wide; maxillary jDalpi piceous-black; labrum with four equal acute triangu-
lar teeth, sides broadly and rouudlj' lobed. Prothorax about as long as and
slightly wider than the head; sides parallel and feebly arcuate; base strongly
arcuate; apex broadly and much less strongly so; apical angles distinctly
rounded, basal very broadly so; apex with a very small feeble sinuation in
the middle; disk very slightly longer than wide, transversely, moderately
and evenlj'' convex, very minutely, rather strongly and evenly rugulose;
rugulae sinuous and interrujpted; having a very narrow and imperfect median
line toward base. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the pronotum;
sides parallel and feebly arcuate posteriorly; together broadly, triangularly
and feebly emarginate behind; disk, transversely and moderately convex,
one-third longer than wide, one-half longer than the prothorax, feebly im-
pressed along the suture, which is margined with a slightly elevated line,
extremely minutely, evenly and densely punctate; punctures asperate and
more sparse near the apices. Abdomen scarcely perceptibly paler toward tip,
transversely strigate with fine wavy lines of extremely minute asperities.
Legs moderate; anterior tarsi feebly dilated, first joint of the posterior as
long as the next two together. Length 3.7-4.2 mm.
6 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Described from the male, in which the sixth segment is
narrow and evenly sinuate at the ^tip, the sinns being evenly
rounded and about four times as wide as deep. The species
is one of the most distinct of this portion of the genus, and
is widely extended in distribution throughout the middle
coast region; it is distinguishable at once by its very dense
sculpture, dark color and very dense pubescence of the pos-
terior portions of the body.
2— C. COntinens n. sp.— Moderately robust, rather depressed; head and
abdomen black, the latter paler and brownish-ferruginous at apex; prothorax
and elytra dark castaneous-brown, the latter slightly the paler; under surface
paler, castaneous; legs brownish-flavate; antennae rufo-fuscous throughout;
maxillary palpi piceous-black; head and pronotum almost glabrous, having a
few erect black setse; elytra and abdomen finely and moderately densely pub-
escent. Head moderate, slightly longer than wide; sides parallel and feebly
arcuate; base truncate, basal angles distinctly rounded; eyes small, moder-
ately prominent, in great part visible from above, one and one-half times
their own length from the base; occiput moderately convex, front flat an-
teriorly; punctures fine, round, shallow, sub-annular and extremely dense;
antenna nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, slender, not in-
crassate; basal joint as long as the next two together, second much shorter
and more oval than the third, tenth longer than wide. Prothorax large,
nearly as long as and very slightly wider than the head; sides just visibly
convergent from apex to base and very feebly arcuate; base broadly arcuate,
sub- truncate in the middle; apex broadly arcuate, as strongly so as the base,
narrowly and very feebly emarginate in the middle; apical angles narrowly
but distinctly rounded, basal more broadly so; disk transversely and moder-
ately convex, quadrate, very finely, evenly and strongly rugulose, the very
fine median line being entirely obsolete in the apical half. Elytra at base
just visibly wider than the pronotum; sides parallel, very feebly arcuate pos-
teriorly; together broadly and just visibly incurvate at the apex; disk trans-
versely and feebly convex, very feebly impressed aloug the suture which is
very slightly and narrowly elevated, one-fourth longer than wide, slightly less
than one-half longer than the pronotum, very minutely densely and evenly
punctate; punctures sub-asperate and slightly sparser near the apices. ^46-
domen transversely stngate with very fine wavy lines of minute closely-
placed asperities. Legs moderate; anterior tarsi very feebly swollen; first
four joints of the posterior decreasing uniformly and very rapidly in length,
first slightly shorter than the next two together, fourth very slightly longer
than wide; claws very small. Length 3.4 mm.
Contra Costa Co., 2; Napa Co., 1; San Diego, 2.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 7
This species, although closely allied to the preceding, is
distinguishable from it by its smaller size, more robust
form, larger prothorax, coloration of the body, paler abdom-
inal apex, less conspicuous pubescence and shorter first
joint of the posterior tarsi. It is described from the male,
the sixth segment being sinuate at apex; the sinus is rather
more acutely rounded than in rugosum, and is about four
times as wide as deep. The structure of the labrum is sim-
ilar to that of ricgosuni.
3 — C. angulatuni i^- sp. — Form slender, moderately convex; color tlirough-
out black, legs piceous-black, antennae and palpi same, tarsi piceo-testaceous;
pubescence of the elytra and abdomen moderately dense, very fine, recum-
bent, fulvous in color, sparser and coarser anteriorly except at the sides of
the head behind the eyes. Head moderate, slightly longer than wide; sides
parallel and feebly arcuate; base truncate, angles distinctly rounded; surface
moderately convex, depressed anteriorly, very finely and densely punctate;
antennae very slender, nearly as long as the head and prothorax together; basal
joint scarcely as long as the next two combined, second and third equal in length,
the former scarcely preceptibly more oval, tenth as wide as long. Prothorax
quadrate; sides just perceptibly convergent posteriorly and nearly straight;
base broadly, rather strongly and nearly evenly arcuate, much more strongly
so than the apex, which is broadly aud rather feebly arcuate and feebly sinu-
ate in the middle; apical angles slightly obtuse and scarcely perceptibly
rounded, basal very broadly rounded; disk scarcely wider than the head,
moderately convex, very finely, rather strongly and irregularly rugulose;
median line rather obsolete. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the
head; sides parallel and feebly arcuate; together broadly, triangularly and
distinctly emarginate behind; disk transversely and very moderately convex,
very feebly impressed along the suture toward b\se, not impressed toward
the apex, scarcely one-third longer than wide, about one-third longer than
the prothorax, extremely minutely, densely and evenly punctate; punctures
asperate and not sparser near the apex. Abdomen having the sixth and the
apex of the fifth segments very slightly paler, piceo-testaceous; surface
transversely and finely strigate in wavy and very broken rows of minute
and closely-placed asperities. Legrs moderate; first joint of the posterior tarsi
slightly shorter than the next two together. Length 3.5 mm.
San Mateo Co., 3 (Mr. Fuchs).
Described from the male; the sixth segment is sinuate at
apex, the sinus being very broadly rounded and about six
times as wide as deep.
8 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
This sj)ecies may be distinguislied by its black color,
dark legs and coarse pubescence of the head, but especially
by the shape of the prothorax, in which the anterior angles
are not distinctly rounded.
4— C. mobile ^- sp. — Eather slender, black tliroiigliout, apices of the elytra
just visibly paler, fuscous; legs dark brown, castaneous, tarsi testaceous; an-
tennas piceous, fuscous toward tip; pubescence of the elytra and abdomen
veiy fiine, short and extremely dense, sericeous, fulvous, that of the head and
pronotum excessively fine, rather sparse, dark piceo-cinereous and scarcely
visible. Head moderate; sides parallel and feebly arcuate; base truncate,
angles rather broadly rounded; surface moderately convex, rather coarsely
and denselj^ punctate, more finely so behind, with a narrow median impunc-
tate line; punctures round, feeble; between the antennas there are two rather
large setigerous punctures; Inbrum with four small, robust, triangular teeth;
autennjB distinctlj^ shorter than the head and prothorax together, very feebly
incra-^sate, rather slender; basal joint as long as the next two together, sec-
ond scarcely two-thirds as long as the third and equal in length to the fourth,
tenth slightly longer than wide. Prothorax nearlj^ quadrate; sides parallel
and distinctlj^ arcuate; base and apex evenly, rather strongly, and nearly
equalh" arcuate, the latter with a small feeble median sinuation; apical angles
rather broadly rounded, basal very broadly so; disk transversely and rather
feeblj^ convex, very slightly wider than the head, evenly finely and extremely
densely punctate; x^unctures very feebly impressed, almost contiguous; me-
dian line almost obsolete. Elytra at base just perceptibly wider than the
pronotum; sides very feebly divergent and feebly arcuate; together broadly,
evenly and rather strongly sinuate at apex; disk transversely and moderately
convex, one-fourth longer than M'ide, nearly one-half longer than the prono-
tum, feebly impressed on either side of the slightly elevated suture, rather
finely and very densely punctate; punctures slightly asperate and much finer
near the apex. Abdomen nearly as wide as the elytra; sides of the fifth seg-
ment feebl}'' convergent toward tip; surface transversely strigate in close
wavy lines of minute asperities; each segment having one or two transverse
rows of four to six very small setigerous punctures upon both the dorsal and
ventral disks. Legs slender; first joint of the posterior tarsi slightly shorter
than the next two together, as long as the last two, one-half longer than the
second. Length 4.0 mm.
Monterey Co.. 2. ?
Described from the female in which the sixth segment is
very evenly rounded behind. There are many erect bristling
setce on the abdomen toward tip; the transverse series of dis-
cal punctures upon the abdomen are characteristic of this
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 9
entire genus, but are more conspicuous in those species hav-
ing very dense sericeous abdominal pubescence. This spe-
cies is YSYy distinct being distinguished by its size and very
dense punctuation, also by the rather more transversely
oval pronotum with broadl}^ rounded anterior angles.
5— C. COntractum. n, sp.— Slender, black; elytra slightly paler, piceons,
slightly rufous at the apices; legs pale brownish-testaceous, tarsi paler,
brownish-flavate; antennae dark rufo-testaceous throughout; maxillary palpi
piceous-brown; entire under surface same; pubescence of the elj^tra mode-
rately dense, very short and fine, that of the abdomen much longer, coarser
and denser, that of the head and pronotum excessively fine, rather sparse
and not conspicuous. Head moderate; sides extremely feebly convergent
X^osteriorly and very slightly arcuate; base truncate, angles narrowly rounded;
surface slightly longer than wide, moderately convex, rather coarsely and
somewhat sparsely punctate, with a narrow median impuuctate line; two setig-
erous punctures at the apical margin of the epistom.a large and prominent; an-
tennae slender, nearly as long as the head and prothorax together; basal joint
scarcely as long as the next two together, second two-thirds as long as the
third and slightly longer than the fourth, tenth about as long as wide,
eleventh ovoidal, acuminate, slightly shorter than the preceding two com-
bined. Prothorax quadrate, distinctly wider than the head; sides j)arallel
and distinctly arcuate; base rather broadly and strongly arcuate, slightly
more strongly so than the apex; apical angles rather narrowly rounded, basal
very broadly so; disk transversely and moderately convex ; median line obsolete,
or very nearly so; xerj finely, feebly and densely punctate; punctures very
feebly impressed and separated by their own widths. Elytra at base very
slightly wider than the in'onotum; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate, dis-
tinctly more strongly so near the apices; together broadly, angularly and
very feebly emarginate at the apex; disk convex and declivous at the sides,
dej)ressed in the middle, feebly impressed on either side of the feebly elevated
suture, scarcely one-fourth longer than wide, one-third longer than the pro-
thorax, rather coarsely and densely punctate; punctures much finer and more
asperate near the &pex. Abdomen slightlj^ narrower than the elytra; sides
parallel; sides of the fifth segment strongly convergent posteriorly; surface
rather convex, transversely strigate in very disconnected wavy lines of
moderately coarse asperities. Legs slender; first joint of the posterior tarsi
nearly as long as the next two together. Length 3.2-3.6 mm.
Santa Clara Co., 9; Monterey Co., 4; Humboldt Co., 1.
In the specimen from Humboldt the elytral punctuation
is decidedly coarser and denser. The type is a male, the sixth
segment being slender and sinuate at apex; the sinus is
rather narrowly rounded and about four times as wide as
10 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
deep. Tins species is easily distinguislied from mobile by
its smaller size, sparser pubescence and much sparser punc-
tuation.
6— C. luculentum n. sp.— Form rather robust, depressed; color black, elytral
ai:)ices abruptly paler, rufous; apices of the abdominal segments beneath pale;
legs pale reddish-ochreous; antennae uniformly dark rufo-fuscous; palpi
piceous; head and pronotum almost glabrous; x>ubescence of the elytra and
abdomen very sparse, line, dark piceo-fulvous and not at all conspicuous;
integuments very highly polished. Head short and robust, very slightly
wider than long; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate; base truncate, angles
narrowly rounded; surface moderately convex, rather coarsely and densely
punctate at the sides and base, very sparsely so in the middle where there is a
rather wide median impunctate art a; inteiantennal area impunctate, two
setigerous punctures widely separated and very feeble; antennte slender^
nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, second joint scarcely two-
thirds as long as the third and distinctly shorter than the fourth, tenth as
wide as long. Prothorax quadrate, very slightly wider than the head; sides
very feebly convergent from apex to base; the latter broadly, evenly and
rather moderately arcuate; apex with a distinct median sinuation; apical
angles somewhat narrowly rounded, basal broadly so; disk moderately con-
vex, very finely, rather deeply, evenly and densely punctate; punctures sep-
arated by their own widths. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the
pronotum; sides just visibly divergent posteriorly and feebly arcuate, dis-
tinctly more strongly so behind; together broadlj'- and feebly sinuate at apex;
disk one-fourth longer than wide and one-third longer than the pronotum,
feebly impressed along the slightly elevated suture except at the apex where
the elevation and impressions disappear, rather coarsely, sub-asperately and
very densely punctate. Abdomen broad, very slightly narrower than the
elytra; border narrow; sides parallel and nearly straight; transversely stri-
gate in wavy lines. Legs slender; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as
the next two together, second as long as the third and fourth, slightly shorter
than the fifth. Length 3.7 mm.
Lake Co., 3. (Mr. Fuchs.)
Described from the male; the sixth segment is sinuate at
apex, the sinus being acutely rounded and but slightly more
than three times as wide as deep. This species, although
somewhat resembling contractum, may be at once distin-
guished by its broader form, much paler elytral apices,
highly polished integuments and very sparse pubescence of
the elytra and abdomen. The sinus of the sixth segment,
although rather acutely rounded as in coniradum, is relatively
distinctly deeper.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 11
7 — C. reductum n. sp.— Slender, black; elytra piceous, paler and distinctly
rufous at the apices; femora rather pale castaneons-brown, tibiae and tarsi
paler, brownish-flavate; under surface dark castaneous, tip of the abdomen
slightly TDaler; antennae dark rufo-testaceous; pubescence of the elytra very
short, fine and rather sparse, that of the abdomen much longer, coarser and
twice as dense; head and prouotum almost glabrous. Head robust, scarcely
longer than wide; sides parallel and nearly straight; base truncate, angles
rather broadly rounded; surface rather finely and sparsely punctate, espec-
ially toward the middle, where there is a rather broad impunctate line; an-
tennae distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax together, somewhat
robust; basal joint as long as the nest two together, second very slightly
shorter than the third, joints two and four equal in length, fifth slightly
shorter. Prothorax quadrate, just visibly wider than the head; sides feebly
convergent toward base and very feebly arcuate; base and apex broadly,
equally and not strongly arcuate; apical angles rather narrowly rounded,
basal very broadly so; disk transversely and rather feebly convex, finely,
densely and evenly punctate; punctures rounded, feebly impressed and dis-
tant by about their own widths; median line almost entire, very narrow.
Elytra at base very slightly wdder than the pronotum; sides nearly parallel
and feebly arcuate, more strongly so behind; together broadly, evenly and
very feebly sinuate at apex; disk one-fourth longer than wide and one-third
longer than the prothorax, narrowly impressed along the feebly elevated
suture, except toward tip, where the impression is obsolete, finely, rather
densely and sub-asperately punctate; punctures scarcely perceptibly smaller
toward the apex. Abdomen distinctly narrower at base than at the fourth
segment, slightly narrower than the elytra; sides feebly arcuate; sides of the
fifth segment distinctly convergent toward tip; surface transversely and
finely strigate in very disconnected wavy lines. Lefjs slender; first joint of
the posterior tarsi about as long as the next two together, second as long as
the fifth. Length 3.0 mm.
Monterey Co., 5.
This species is distinguished from contradum by its
smaller size, shorter and broader head, which is also more
sparsely punctate, and by the form of the prothorax, in
which the sides are feebly but distinctly convergent from
apex to base. The type is a male, the sixth segment being
rather broad and sinuate at apex; the sinus is broadly
rounded and about four times as wide as deep. In co7i-
tractum the sinus is much more acutely rounded, although
about equally deep, the sides being more gradually recurved
exteriorly.
12 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
8— C. tantillum n- sp. — Very slender; head black; abdomen piceous-black;
pronotum and elj'^tra castaueons, the latter slightly paler at tip; leg^ rather
pale brownish, tarsi paler, brownish-flavate; antennae uniformly dark rufo-
fuscons throughout; pubescence of elytra and abdomen very fine, moderately
•sparse and not conspicuous. Head moderate, slightly longer than wide, sides
parallel and almost straight; base truncate, angles narrowly rounded; surface
moderately convex, rather coarsely and sparselj^ punctate, with a rather wide
median impunctate area; antennse slender, short, much shorter than the
head and prothorax together; basal joint as long as the next two together,
second slightly shorter and more robust than the third, as long as the fourth,
Outer joints very slightly wider, tenth as wide as long. Prothorax quadrate,
scarcelj^ perceptibly wider than the liead; sides just visibly convergent from
ajDex to base and nearly straight; base and apex broadly, equally and rather
strongly arcuate; apical angles rather broadly rounded, basal very broadly so;
disk transversely and moderately convex, very minutely, feebly, evenly and
rather sparsely punctate, with a narrow but entire and rather well-marked
median impunctate line; j)unctures very feebly impressed and separated by
about three times their own widths; surface feebly alutaceous. Elytra at base
very slightly wider than the pronotum; sides parallel and veiy feebly arcuate;
together broadly, sub-angularly and moderately sinuate at apex; disk nearly
one-third longer than wide, and nearly one-half longer than the pronotum,
narrowly impressed along the slightly elevated suture, rather finely, densely
and sub-asperately punctate; punctures smaller near the apex. Abdomen very
slightly narrowed toward base, nearly as wide as the elytra; surface moder-
ately convex, very minutely, sub-asperately, feebly and rather sparsely punc-
tate. Legs slender; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the next two
together, about as long as the fifth; second distinctly shorter than the third
and fourth combined. Length 2.8 mm.
Santa Clara, Co., 4.
Described from the male in wliicli tlie sixth segment is
sinuate at tip, the sinus being moderately broadly rounded
and between three and four times as wide as deep.
This species is at once distinguishable from all the others
above described by the abdominal punctuation which is not
arranged in very well-defined wavy lines, by the more
sparse and minute pronotal punctuation, and by the rather
strong dilatation of the joints of the anterior tarsi in the
males. It is also the smallest species of the genus.
OLIGOPTERUS n. gen.
The very small species constituting the sole representa-
tive of this genus, is very singular and totally distinct in
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. IS*
appearance from those of the preceding group. The head,
mstead of being small is rather large and very coarsely
punctate, the prothorax being slightly elongate and rather
strongly narrowed from apex to base; the elytra are equal
in length to the pronotum in the male and slightly shorter
in the female, with the sides strongly divergent posteriorly,
having the surface depressed and very coarsely punctate.
9—0. CUneicollis n.sp. — Rather slender; head aud abdomen piceous-black;
elytra dark blackish-castaueous; pronotum dark rufo-fuscous; legs brown-
ish-piceous, tibias slightly paler, tarsi still paler; antenn?e and under surface
anteriorly dark rufo-fuscous, the former much paler toward the base and
apex; abdomen black, with the extreme apices of the segments paler; head
and pronotum nearly glabrous, elytra and abdomen finely and rather densely
pubescent; integuments polished. Head very slightly longer than wide;
sides parallel and slightly arcuate; base truncate, feebly sinuate in the
middle, angles rather broadly rounded; eyes very small, at three times their
length from the base; surface rather depressed, coarsely aud rather sparsely
punctate, with a very narrow median impunctate line; epistoma rather
strongly produced, sides convergent to the apex aud feebly sinuate; apex
truncate; antennal tuberculations small and rather prominent; between
them there are two small, oblique, impressed fove^e, each having a small
setigerous puncture posteriorly; antennaa rather short, scarcely as long as the
head and prothorax together; basal joint slightly longer than the next two
together, second more robust but scarcely shorter than the third. Prothorax
scarcely narrower than the head; sides distintly convergent from apex to
base and slightly arcuate; base broadly and feebly arcuate; apex with the
sides very stronglj' convergent to the neck, which is one-third as wide as
the disk aud broadly and feebly emarginate; anterior angles obtuse and
rather broadly rounded, basal equally so; disk transversely and rather
strongly convex, slightly longer than wide, rather finely and moderately
densely punctate, with a narrow, entire, impunctate median line. Eiijtra at
base slightly narrower than the pronotum; sides rather strongly divergent
posteriorly and feebly arcaate; together broadly and feebly sinuate at the
apex; disk depressed, very slightly longer than wide, as long as the prono-
tum, very coarsely, sub-asperately and rather densely punctate. Abdomen
at base very slightly narrower than "the elytra; sides very feebly divergent
posteriorly and distinctly arcuate; surface minutely, feebly, densely, sub-
asperately and irregularly punc'ate. Legs very slender; first joint of the
posterior tarsi fully as long as the next two together. Length 2.4-2.6 mm.
San Francisco, 5.
The elytra are, except near the apex, narrowly impressed
along the slightly elevated suture. The type is a male, the
14 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
sexual characters being merely a slight emargination at the
apex of the sixth segment, slightly wider than deep and not
at all rounded, triangular. This species cannot be con-
founded with any other liere described; it is the smallest of
this group of genera which has been thus far discovered.
LITHOCHARIS Lacord.
Group A.
We have here another group, of four species, remarkably
distinct from either of the preceding. The size is larger
than in any of the other genera, and the large, sub-triangu-
lar, very finely and densely punctate heads with their very
minute ej^es, give them a very peculiar appearance which
renders them immediately recognizable. The elytra are
short, sometimes equal in length to the prothorax and never
very much longer. The sides of the prothorax are usually
very distinctly convergent from apex to base, and are some-
times feebly sinuate in the middle.
10 — L. sinuatOCOllis n. sp.— Form rather slender; elytra and abdomen dark
fuscous, the latter paler at tip; head and pronotum slightly paler, dark rufo-
testaceous; autenn;t) dark fuscous, paler at the apex; legs rather pale ferru-
ginous throughout; pubescence rather sparse. Head rather large, much
longer than wide, broadly sinuate at base, angles rather broadlj^ rounded;
sides long, very feebly convergent anteriorly and distinctly arcuate; epistoma
very broad, moderately produced, apex truncate; surface broadly and moder-
ately convex, rather finelj'" and densely punctate, very feebly alutaceous;
punctures feebly impressed, distant by neaily twice their own widths; median
impunctate area rather narrow; eyes very small at nearly four times their
own length from the basb; antenn?B slender, much shorter than the head and
prothorax together; basal joint as long as the next two together, second and
third sub-equal in length, the former slightly more robust and much more
oval, distinctly longer than the fourth, tenth slightl}^ wider than long. Pro-
thorax quadrate, very slightly narrower than the head; sides rather strongly
convergent posteriori}' throughout and feebly sinuate in the middle; base
broadl}' truncate in the middle, arcuate at the sides; apex broadly arcuate,
feebly and roundly emarginate in the middle third; anterior angles rather
broadly rounded, basal slightly more broadly so; disk moderately convex,
finely, rather feebly and sparsely punctate; median line equal throughout
the length, moderate in width. Elytra at base very slightly narrower than
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 15
the pronotum; sides moderately strongly divergent and feebly arcuate toward
the a-pex; together broadly and feebly sinuate behind; disk about as long as
wide; as long as the pronotum, depressed, feeblj'^ impressed throughout near
the suture which is feebly elevated, rather coarsely, moderately densely and
sub-rugulosely punctate. Abdomen at base very nearly as wide as the elytra;
sides just visibly divergent posteriorly and straight; surface very minutely,
densely, irregularly, feebly and sub-asperately punctate. Legs long and slen-
der; tarsi rather short, fir.^t joint of the posterior much shorter than the next
two together, scarcely as long as the fifth, one-third longer than the second;
first four joints uniformly decreasing in length. Length 4.6 mm.
Humboldt Co. (Hoopa Val.), 2 ? .
The anterior tarsi are feebly dilated toward base. This
species may be readily recognized amongst the large species
with short elytra, by its much paler color, slightly coarser
and sparser cephalic punctuation, and by the distinctly sin-
uate sides of the prothorax.
11 — L. COnverffens n. sp. — Form moderatelj^ robust, black throughout; legs
dark piceous-brown, tarsi i)aler, testaceous; antennae fuscous, paler toward the
apex; pubescence very fine, rather long, very sparse anteriorly, more dense on
the elytra, still denser and more sericeous on the abdomen, l^eac? large, broadly
sinuate at base, angles rather broadly rounded; sides long, feebly convergent
anteriorly, distinctly and evenly arcuate; eyes very small; epistoma very
slightly produced, broad, squarely truncate at apex; surface finely and densely
punctate, very feebly alutaceous; j)uuctures rather feebly impressed, distant
by scarcely more than their own widths above; median line narrow; antennse
one third longer than the head, rather slender, second joint distinctly shorter
than the third, very slightly longer than the fourth, tenth slightly wider than
long. Prothorax widest at the apex where it is slightly narrower than the
head and distinctly wider than long; sides moderately strongly convergent
posteriorly, very feebly end evenly arcuate; base broadly and rather feebly
arcuate; apex rather more strongly arcuate, broadly siuiiate in the middle
two-fifths; anterior angles rather broadly rounded, basal very broadly so; disk
finelj'', very feebly and sparsely punctate, with an entire and rather wide me-
dian impunctate area, and, especially toward base, a very tine and feebly im-
pressed median stria. Elytra at base distinctly narrower than the pronotum;
sides rather strongly divergent and nearly straight; together broadly, feebly
and sub-angularly sinuate at the apex; disk about as wide as long, slightly
longer than the pronotum, depressed, feebly impressed along the slightly ele-
vated suture, except at the apex, moderately coarsely, densely and evenly
punctate; punctures feebly sub-rugulose. Abdomen at base distinctly nar-
rower than the elytra; sides slightly divergent posteriorly; surface verj'' finely,
•densely, irregularly and sub-asperately punctate. Legs rather short and slea-
l(> CAMFOlxNlV AiWPKMV OF SOlKNrKS.
dor: tii*st four joints of t ho postoriov tai'si dooivasiug uuilonuly and itxther
r:\v>idly ii\ longth, fourth longer than wide uud one-hrtlf as long as tho tirst,
Lotit^th l.o mni.
San ^Fatoo Co., 1 ^ (Mr. Fnchs).
Tho autorior tarsi aiv vorv distiuotly dilatod toward base.
Tills spooios oau bo at onoo rooognizod by its blaok oolor^
sbghtly trausvorso prothorax. and tho sidos of tho lattor,
whii'h aro slightly arouato and not at all siuuato.
I'J — L, lepida ^^- ^P — K;\thor ivbust, dark picivnis throughout, head and
prvnxotuui so.uvolv jH?rvvptibly palor: abdomen vc>j y slightly j^vlerat the imme-
diate apex: legs pale, ferruginous-yellow: anteun;e dark fus<.\nis^ pale testa-
otvus at tip, Kasal joint daik rufous: pulvseeuiv mther long and dense ou the
elytr:^ and abdomen, denser and more sericeous ou the latter, elsewhere very
s]LV»rse: integuments very feebly alutaoovnis. shining. H^ad large, sub-tri-
angular: b;ise iMvwdly and feebly sinuate, Jiugles nither broadly rounded:
jNide* very feebly ev>nvergent anteriorly, long, distinctly arcuate: epistomal
apexlvrv^ad. svx^iaxely truncate; antemial tubt^rculatious very small and n\ther
feeble: surface tiuely. densely aud evenly punctate: median line Rather nar-
rv>w: antenu;^ slender, much shorter than the head aud prothon^x together,
second joint distinctly shorter than the tliirv\ and slightly longer than tlie
fourth, tenth as long as wide. Prx^tMoriijr as long as wide, distinctly nar-
iV)Wt>r thaT\ the head: sides feebly ^\>uvergent from apex to base, straight in
the middle: Ivvse brvvidly trui\cate in the middle: basal angles broadly
rv>undevl. apic;vl very slightly less so: sides thence very strongly convergent
and stniight to the nuchal enuu^ination. which is more than oue-thirvl as
vrivle Jis the disk auvl very brv.v»dly rv>undevl: disk tntusversely and very feebly
coiw^ex aK^ve, stivmgly and r:\ther alvruptly so at the sides, tiuely and feebly
pnnctate. s^virsely so ncivr the middle, more cojirsely and closely at the sides;
median line rather broad. evjujU thr^^ughout: very near the K^se there is a
very feeble median stria. Eijttm at l>ase just pereeptibly narrower than
the prv>uotttm: sivles feebly divergent posteriorly and nearly straight: to-
gether btvv^dly ;md extremely feebly sinuate Ivhiud: disk distinctly longer
than wide and slightly lougt^r than the j^vrouotum, rather depressed, ntirrowly
impresstvl along the slightly elevated suture, rather tiuely. evenly, densely
aud sub-ruguU>sely punctate. Ab^i^mm at Ivise very slightly narrower than
the elytra: sid^^ very l\vbly divergent iv>steriorly, nearly straight: surface
Tery minutely and densely, fe^^bly and sul^-as^vrAtely punctate, L^ii^ mode-
rate: tirst joint of the jx^sterior tarfd one-hsilf longer than the second, slightly
longer than the tifth. Length o.O mm.
Santa Clarj\ Co., 3.
Tho description is takou from tho male, in whioh tho riftli
sogmont is transvoi^>oly truuotivte at apox, tlie edge being
CAMKOIJM.V A(\\I)1:MV OK S(M KNCKS. 17
very bro.idlv' aiul foobly luidiilafcoil jiiul wiUi a tniusvoiYO
row c)l" still' rocuinl)oiifc sotju sli«a;litly within tiio margin;
sixth broadly and dooply sinuato, tho sinus boin;^- twico as
wido as (loop and vory broadly ronndiul anttniorly; sovonth
narrowly divided. Tho spocios is easily distingnishablo
from tho proooding two by its much longer elytra in both
tho maU* and t'cMualo.
1'^— L. pubenila 'i- t^P- — Modonitely slouilor, yiiocons-bliick thron^Jiout, iib-
dominal iiin^x not notiooably paler; logs dai'lc roiUlish-hrown; autonua^ fns-
cons, apox paler; head aud pronotmu sparsely, vallu'r coarsely and somewhat
distinctly pubescent; pubesoenec of tho elytra and abdouu'U rather long,
coarse and sonunvhrtt dense, rather couspicnous, pale fulvous throughout;
integuments very feebly alutacoous, shining. Head moderate; base broadly
and very feebly sinuate, angles rather narrowly rounded; sides paral'el and
distim^tly arcuate, slightly more strongly.so behind; epistomal apex moderate
in width, broadly and very feebly arcuate; surface very finely, densely and
extremely feebly punctate; median line narrow, interrupted at tho base and
with an elongate very feebly elevated ridge anteriorly; aiitenujD very slightly
shorter than the head and prothorax together; slender, second joint two-
thirtls as long as the third and distinctly longer than the fourth, tenth very
slightly Nvider than long. Prothorax quadrate, just visibly narrower than
the head; sides feebly convergent posteriorly throughout and very feebly
arcuate; buse broadly truncate in tho middle; apical angles rather broadly
rounded, basal very broadly so; disk transversely and rather strongly convex
very iinely, feebly and sparsely punctate, more densely so at tho sides; me-
dian line broad and well marked, having a short impressed median stria near
the base. 7i(7y<?v/ at buso sub-eipial in width to the prt)notum; sides rather
feebly divergent posteriorly and very feebly arcuate; together broadly and
moderately sinmite behind; disk very slightly longer than tho pronotum,
slightly longer than wide, moderately depressed, narrowly impressed along
the slightly elevated suture, moderately coarsely, closely andsub-granulosely
punctate, the puucturi>s being extremely minute and at the summits of line
elevated granules. Abdomen at base nearly us wide ns tho elytra; sides very
feebly divergent posteriorly and nearly straight, very minutely, feebly, irreg-
ularly and sub-asperately punctate, the bases of the basal segments being ini-
puuotato. Legs rather robust; tirst johit of tho posterior tarsi vory slightly
longer than the second, nearly twice as long as tho fourth; anterior ttirsi nar-
rowly dilated. Length -l.S mm.
Lake Co., 1 S (Mr. Fuchs).
Sexual characters nearly as iu lepida, the sinuation of the
sixth segment being very broadly rounded and three times
2— Bull. Oal. Acad. Sci. 11. 5. rriiitoil Jiiuuary 27, 1880.
^ LIB R AR Y, .^
18 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
as wide as deep. This species is distinguished from slmia-
iocollis and converge us by its longer elytra and sliape of the
pronotum, from leplda by its sexual characters, denser pub-
escence, color, and especially by its much narrower, more
densely punctate, and more parallel head.
Group B.
The species here assigned to this group of the genus are
in general quite homogeneous in appearance, the elytra
being always much longer than the prothorax, and the pro-
notum always very sparsely and feebty punctate in the mid-
dle, Avith a broad median impunctate area. They, however,
vary in the degree of density of the cephalic punctuation, in
the prominence of the basal angles, and slightly in the
form of the pronotum, this generally being nearly quadrate
with the sides parallel, but sometimes having the sides dis-
tinctly convergent from apex to base, and being in some
cases slightly wider than long and in others longer than
wide, within, however, very narrow limits. The head is
usually moderate in size, sub-quadrate, and never very much
wider than the prothorax.
14— L. malaca ii. sp. — Eather robust, depressed; piceons-black, abdomen
paler at tip; pronotum slightly paler, dark rufo-fuscous; legs pale yellowish-
testaceous throughout; antennae fuscous, pale testaceous at tip; pubescence
sparse anteriorly, rather coarse, dense and conspicuous on the elytra and
abdomen; integuments strongly shining, very feebly sub-alutaceous. Head
rather large, slightly longer than wide; sides moderately long and distinctly
arcuate; base broadly truncate, angles rather broadly rounded; eyes mod-
erate, at twice their length from the base; epistoma moderately produced,
very broad, sides strongly convergent to the apex, which is squarely truncate ;
antennal tuberculations very small, rather prominent; surface very eve«,
moderately convex, very finely, evenly and densely punctate, with a narrow,
even, impunctate line in the middle; antennge slightly shorter than the
head and prothorax together; basal joint nearly as long as the next three
together, second very slightly shorter than the third and longer than the
fourth, tenth as long as wide. Prothorax very slightly wider than long nnd
just visibly narrower than the head; sides very feebly convergent throughout
and very slightly arcuate; base and apex broadly, moderately and almost
equally arcuate, the former sub-truncate in the middle; anterior angles
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 19
rather broadly rounded, basal slightly more broadlj' so; apical emargiuation
feeble, one-third as wide as the disk; the latter transversely and very mod-
erately convex, very finely, feebly and sparsely punctate in the middle, more
strongly and densely so near the sides, with a wide median impunctate area,
having a very small feeble impression near the base. Elytra at base distinctly
wider than the pronotum; sides parallel and ver}'' slightly arcuate; together
broadly and rather feebly sinuate behind; disk transversely and moderately
convex, narrowly impressed along the distinctly elevated suture, very finely,
rather densely and sub-granulosely punctate, scarcely one-fourth longer than
wide, two-fifths longer than the i)i'onotum. Abdomen at base very slightly
narrower than the elytra; sides parallel and feebly arcuate: surface very mi-
nutely, densely, irregularly and sub-asperately punctate. Legs robust; first
joint of the posterior tar^i one-third longer than the second. Length 4.3 mm.
Santa Clara Co., 1 5 .
The fifth ventral segment is broadly emarginate in its
middle, three-fonrths at apex, the emargination being
broadly rounded and six times as wide as deep; in the mid-
dle there is a short and very broad porrected process at the
bottom of the notch, which is broadly and feebly sinuate at
its apex, each side of the emagination having elsewhere a
porrected fringe of short, robust, very closely-^Dlaced spin-
iiles, about eleven in number; sixth segment deeply emargin-
ate at apex, the notch being parabolic in outline and slightly
wider than deep, exterior angles slightly rounded; seventh
narrowly divided.
This species is distinguished from all the others in this
division of the genus by its rather large and very minutely
punctate head. The anterior tarsi are rather strongly di-
lated and clothed beneath with very short, pale, densely-
placed. papilla3.
15— L. latiuscula n. sp. — Eather robust and depressed; head and abdomen
piceous-black, the latter very slightly paler at the apex; pronotum dark rufo-
fuscous; elytra much paler, rufous throughout; labrum, palpi and legs con-
colorous, pale reddish-flavate throughout; antennte fuscous; base dark rufous,
apex testaceous; pubescence very sparse anteriorly, long, very fine and rather
si>arse on the elytra and abdomen; integuments polished, very finely sub-
alutaceous. Head moderate, slightly wider than long exclusive of the labrum
"which is large and prominent; teeth very small, acute; base broadly truncate
angles rather broadly rounded; sides parallel and nearly straight; surface
20 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
rather coarsely, very feebly and rather sparsely punctate; median impunctate
area rather broad, sub-fusiform; epistoma moderately produced, broad, fee''ly
and abruptly arcuate in the middle at the apex; antennal tuberculations small
and rather conspicuous; antennas nearly as long as the head and prothorax
together; basal joint as long as the next two combined, second more than
twice as long as wide, very slightly shorter than the third, distinctly longer
than the fourth, tenth as long as wide. Prothorax slightly wider than long,
very slightly narrower than the head; sides distinctly convergent posteriorly
throughout and nearly straight; basal angles very obtuse and very shghtly
rounded, sides of the base thence strongly convergent and broadly arcuate to
the median portion which is almost squarely truncate; apex broadly and
very feebly arcuate; nuchal emargiuation very feeble, nearly one-half as wide
as the disk; ax3ical angles rather narrowly rounded; disk rather coarsely, ex-
cessively feebly and very sparsely punctate; median impunctate area broad,
equal throughout, surface not impressed. Elytra at base slightly wider than
the pronotum; sides almost x)arallel and very slightly arcuate; together
broadly, sub-angularly and very feebly sinuate behind; disk broadly and
feebly convex, narrowly and rather strongly impressed along the slightly ele-
vated suture, scarcely one-fourth longer than wide, one-third longer than the
pronotum, rather finely, evenly, strongly, rather densely and sub-asperately
punctate. Abdomen rather short and broad, slightly narrower than the
elytra; sides parallel and slightly arcuate; surface very finely, densely and
sub-asperately punctate. Legs rather short and robust; anterior tarsi slightly
dilated; first joint of the posterior one-half longer than the second, nearly
twice aa long as the fourth and slightly shorter than the fifth. Length
4.1 mm.
Lake Co., 1 (Mr. Fuclis); Southern Cal., 1 (Mr. G. W.
Dunn).
The two specimens, of which the first is the type, are both
females, and agree tolerabl}^ well together, although the one
from the possible neighborhood of Los Angeles, has the
head slightly narrower and more strongly arcuate behind
with the basal angles more broadly rounded, the prothorax
very slightly longer, and the elytra very slightty shorter and
more finely punctate. There is a strong probability of its
being at least a well-marked variety, although lack of ma-
terial prevents any judgment as to the amount of specific
variation; in other portions of this group, however, whera
the material is ample, the specific variation is seen to be
very slight.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 21
16 — L. sublesta u. sp. — Very moderately robust; head and abdomen black,
the latter scarcely paler at tip; prouotum very dark fuscous; elytra dark yel-
lowish-rufous; labrum aud antennae fuscous, the latter pale testaceous toward
tip; palpi slightly paler, brownish; legs pale brownish-flavate throughout;
pubescence very sparse anteriorly, moderately dense and fine on the elytra,
very dense, fine and sericeous on the abdomen; shining. Head moderate, as
long as wide; base broadly arcuate, angles broadly rounded; sides parallel aud
nearly straight; eyes at nearly twice their length from the base, somewhat
prominent; epistoma moderately produced, truncate at tip; labrum moderate
in size; occiput moderately convex, finely and somewhat densely punctate,
more sparsely so in the middle; median impunctate area narrow; antennte
nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, basal joint scarcely as long
as the next two combined, second nearly as long as the third, slightly longer
than the fourth, tenth as long as wide. Prothorax very slightly wider than
long, equal in width to the head; sides parallel and feebly arcuate; base
broadly, evenly and moderately arcuate throughout; apex very feebly arcuate;
nuchal emargination excessively feeble, rather wide; apical angles rather
broadly rounded, basal more broadly so; disk transversely, evenly and feebly
convex, finely margined along the base, extremely feebly, finely and sparsely
punctate above, three times as densely so near the sides; median impunctate
area rather broad. Elytra at base distinctly'' wider than the prothorax; sides
parallel and feebly arcuate; together broadly and very feebly sinuate behind;
disk depressed above, strongly convex at the sides, narrowly and distinctly
impressed along the slightly elevated suture, one-fifih longer than wide and
nearly one-half longer than the pronotum, very minutely, rather feebly,
densely, evenly and sub-asperately punctate. Abdomen very slightly narrow-
er than the elytra; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate; surface minutely,
exceedingly densely and evenly punctato-asperate. Legs rather long and
slender; anterior tarsi rather strongly dilated, posterior long and slender,
first joint about one-fourth longer than the second, slightly shorter than the
fifth and as long as the third and fourth together. Length 4.2 mm.
Napa Co., 1 5 .
The fifth segment is broadly impressed in the middle
throughout its length; the apex is very broadly emarginate,
the sides of the notch being rather feebly convergent ante-
riorly and each having a fringe of about eight robust spin-
ules; in the middle of the eniargination there is a very short
broad process, broadly arcuate posteriorly; sixth segment
parabolically emarginate, notch one-half wider than deep:
seventh narrowly divided.
17 — L. COnsanguinea 11- sp.— Moderately robust and depressed; head, pro-
notum and abdomen black, the latter very slightly paler at the apex; elytra dark
22 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pieeo-castaneoiis; femora piceo-castaneoiis, tibias and tarsi paler, brownisli-
riifons; autenure piceous at base, becoming fuscous in the middle and pale
testaceous at tip; palpi fuscous; integuments polished, very feebly sub-
alutaceous; pubescence anteriorly very sparse, that of the elytra coarse, not
very dense, that of the abdomen more than twice as dense, sericeous, fulvous
and conspicuous. Head moderate, as long as wide; base broadly and very
feebly arcuate, angles rather broadly rounded; sides parallel and extremely
feebly arcuate; epistoma rather strongly produced, broad, truncate at tip;
antennal tuberculatiotis small, rather prominent; surface rather finely and
moderately densely punctate; median line narrow, continuous throughout;
antennas slightly shorter than the head and prothorax together; second joint
distiuctb^ shorter than the third, very slightly longer than the fourth.
ProthordX large, just visibly wider than the head, slightly wider than long;
sides parallel, extremely feebly arcuate; base broadly, evenly and rather
strongly arcuate; apex broadly and very feebly so; nuchal emargination one-
third as wide as the disk, very feeble; apical angles rather narrowly rounded,
basal broadly so; disk transversely, nearly evenly and rather feebly convex,
finely, very feebly and rather sparsely punctate in the middle, slightly more
densel}' so at the sides; median impunctate area broad, equal, narrowly, very
feebly and longitudinally impressed near the base. Elytra at base distinctly
wider than the pronotum; sides very slightly divergent posteriorly and
slightly arcuate, together broadly and rather strongly sinuate behind; disk
feebly convex, narrowly impressed along the slightly elevated suture, more
strongly so at one-third the length from the apex, finely, deeply, sub-aspe-
rately, evenly and rather densely punctate; slightly longer than wdde, and
less than one-third longer than the pronotum. Abdomen rather short and
broad, as wide as the elytra; sides parallel and distinctly arcuate; surface
minutely very densely and sub-asperately punctate. Legs slender; first
joint of the posterior tarsi one-third longer than the second, nearly as long as
the third and fourth together. Length 4.2 mm.
San Francisco, 1 ? .
This species may be distinguished from the preceding by
its shorter and more coarsely and sparsely punctured elytra,
its much longer and more evenly punctate pronotum, and
especially by its different coloration.
18 — L. COntigUUa ri- sp- — Form rather slender, rather strongly convex; head,
pronotum and abdomen black, the latter very slightly paler at tip; elytra pice-
ous-black, immediate apex slightly paler; femora castaneous, tibiae and tarsi
fuscous; labrum, palpi and antennae piceous, the latter paler and fus-
cous toward tip; pubescence of the anterior portions sparse, of the elytra
moderately dense, long, rather coarse, of the abdomen dense, somewhat seri-
ceous, fulvous; integuments polished, not at all alutaceous. Head rather
small, distinctly longer than wide; base truncate, angles rather broadly
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 23
roiiuded; sides parallel, nearly straight; epistoma rather strongly produced,
broadly and very feebly arcuate at the apex; aiitennal tuberculations mimite
and slightly promiuent; labrum rather large teeth minute, very acute; an-
tenna slightly shorter than the head and prothorax together, second joint
two-thirds as long as the third and scarcely longer than the fourth; occiput
rather convex, somewhat finely, evenly and sparselj'- punctate; punctures
round and rather deep; median impuuctate area rather broad, equal through-
out, well-marked. Prothorax quadrate, just visibly narrower than the head;
sides parallel and nearly straight; base broadlj^ rather strongly and evenly
arcuate; apex broadly and very feebly so; nuchal siuuation very feeble, two-
fifths as wide as the disk; apical and basal angles rather broadly and nearly
equally rounded; disk transversely, evenly and rather strongly convex, finely
margined along the base, very finely, feebly and somewhat sparsely punctate
in the middle, twice as densely so at the sides; median impunctate area equal
throughout, moderately wide, with a very fine feeble median stria near the
base. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the prothorax; sides parallel and
feebly arcuate; together broadly, sub-angularly and distinctly sinuate behind
disk one-fourth longer than wide, nearly one-half longer than the pronotum,
feebly impressed along the slightly elevated suture, rather finely, densely,
strongly and rugulosely punctate, the punctures being in transverse wavy
series near the apex. Abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra; sides par;
allel and nearly straight; surface very miuutely, densely and sub-asperately
punctate. Legs rather long and slenler; first joint of the posterior tarsi one-
half longer than the second, shorter than the next two together, fully as long
as the fifta; anterior tarsi very slightly dilated. Length 4.3 mm.
San'Mateo Co., 1 $> (Mr. Fuchs).
The fifth segment is very broadly eniarginate nearly
throughout its width at apex, the sides of the notch being-
straight, very strongly convergent, and each having a fringe
of seven stout, equal and closely-placed spinules; median
porrected process very short and broad, very strongly sin-
uate at the apex; sixth segment parabolically emarginate at
apex, notch nearly twice as wide as deep; seventh broadly
divided, incisure in the form of a very elongate acute tri-
angle.
This S23ecies is remarkable for the unusually elongate
basal joint of the posterior tarsi, which, however, comes
well within the generic definition. It bears a considerable
o
resemblance to consanguinea, but differs in the narrower
form, and especially in the form of the pronotum, which is
as long as wide in the present species and slightly, though
24 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
very distinctly, wider than long in the former. It is true
that the sexes in these cases are different, but on examining
a full series of a closely-allied species — relrusa — described
below, it is readily seen that the sexual differences in the
general form of the body, even of the head, are almost ab-
solutely inappreciable; it is in fact a forcible instance of
what Dr. LeConte (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. YI, p. 213) calls
the polarity and, it might be added, concentration of sexual
characters. Here we have the sexual modifications at the
abdominal vertex extremely well marked, elsewhere, how-
ever, if we except a slightly longer second antennal joint in
the males, they are not at all apparent.
19 — L. luctUOSa 1^- sp. — Form slender; bead, pronotum and abdomen
^broiigbout black; elytra rufo-piceons, not paler at tip; legs dark brownisb-
flavate; antennae piceons, pale at tbe tip; pubescence almost absent anteriorly,
moderately sparse and fine on the elytra, somewhat dense on the abdomen;
integuments polished. Head moderate, distinctly longer than wide; base
truncate in the middle, angles rather narrowly rounded, sides parallel and
very feebly arcuate; vertex moderately produced, truncate at apex, feebly
arcuate in the middle; punctures feeble, small and rather sparse; median line
rather broad, equal throughout; antennas distinctly shorter than the head
and prothorax together; basal joint distinctly longer than the next two com-
bined, second slightly shorter than the third, sub-equal to the fourth. Pro-
thorax fully as long as w^ide, equal in width to the head; sides excessively
feeblj' convergent posteriorly throughout and very feebh" arcuate; base
broadly sub-truncate in the middle; apex broadlj', rather feebly and equally-
strougly arcuate; nuchal sinuation feeble, two-fifths as wide as the disk;
anterior angles rather narrowly rounded, basal broadly so; disk transversely,
evenly and moderat?ly convex, very feebly, finely and rather sparsely punc-
tate in the middle, more closely so at the sides: median impunctate area
moderate in width, even throughout, not impressed. Elytra at base slightly
wider than the prouotum: sides parallel and feebly arcuate; together
broadly, roundly and rather feebly sinuate behind; disk less than one-third
longer than the pronotum, one-fourth longer than wide, feebly and narrowly
impressed aloug the slightly elevated suture, finely, feebly, evenl}'-, sub-
asperately and rather spars -Ij'^ punctate. Abdomen slender, scarcely nar-
rower than the elytra; sides straight and parallel; surface minutely, very
densely, sub-asperately and evenly punctate. Legs rather slender; first joint
of the posterior tarsi oue-thirLl longer than the second, much shorter than
the fifth; anterior tarsi slightly dilated. Length 4.2 mm.
San Francisco, 1 ? .
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 25
Tliis species, thougli closely allied to tlie preceding, dif-
fers from it in sucli an assemblage of minor characters as to
leave very little doubt of its distinctness; among these are
its more slender form, still more slender prothorax, and
more particularly the elytral punctuation which is decidedly
more si3arse, feebler and less rugulose; the abdomen also is
not pale at tip, and the el^'tra are paler in color in lactuosa.
20 — L. retrusa n- sp. — Moderately robust; bead, pronotum and abdomen
tbrongbout black; elytra dark rnfo-piceous, scarcely perceptibly and grad-
Tially paler toward the apices; legs rather pale brownish; antennae, labrum
and palpi piceoiis-black, the former slightly i^aler toward tip; pubescence
sparse anteriorly, rather dense and very fine on the elytra, twice as dense,
very short and fine on the abdomen, not very conspicuous; integuments
polished. Head moderate; base broadly and distiuctl}^ arcuate, angles very
broadly rounded; sides behind the eyes rather short, parallel and nearly
straight; surface slightly longer than wide, finely, extremelj'^ feebly and
rather densely punctate; median line rather broad; epistoma very short,
rather narrow, truncate at apex; labrum moderate, teeth small, approximate,
rather long and very acute; antenna nearly as long as the head and protho-
rax together, second joint distinctly shorter than the third, slightly longer
than the fourth. Prothorax rather large, quadrate, just visibly wider than
the head; sides parallel and nearly straight; base broadly, very evenly and
rather strongly arcuate throughout; apex feebly arcuate; nuchal emargina-
tion two-fifths as wide as the disk, broadly and distinctly rounded; apical
angles rather narrowly rounded, basal scarcel}'' more broadlj" so, very obtuse;
disk very finely margined along the base, broadlj'^, nearly evenly and mod-
^ratelj^ convex, very minutely, feebly and sparsely x^unctate in the middle,
twice as densely, but still rather sparsely so at the sides; median line rather
broad, equal throughout. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the prono-
tum: sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate posteriorly; together broadly,
roundly and distinctly sinuate behind; disk one-fifth longer than wide, one-
third longer than the pronotum, rather broadly and strongly impressed along
the slightly elevated suture, more distinctly impressed near the scutellum,
very finely, rather feebly and very densely punctate; punctures sub-asperate
and distinctly finer and denser toward the apex. Abdomen very slightly
narrower than the elytra; sides parallel and very nearly straight; surface
very minutely, evenly, excessively densely f ebly and sub-asperately punc-
tate. Legs rather slender; first joint of the posterior tarsi one-fourth longer
than the second, much shorter than the fifth; anterior tarsi very slightly
dilated; posterior tibite obliquely and feebly excavated exteriorly at the apex,
the excavation being smooth and glabrous, and bounded internally by a dense
row of closely-placed and very fine erect spinules. Length 4.1-4.3 mm.
Mendocino Co. (Anderson Val.), 5.
26 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
This very distinct species may be recognized immediately
by its rather narrow head, broadly rounded behind, and
having the basal angles almost obsolete. The type is a male;
the fifth segment is broadly emarginate almost throughout
its width at apex, the sides of the notch being very strongly
convergent and distinctly incurvate, each bearing a por-
rected fringe of nine robust, black, short and rather closely-
placed spinules; the porrected process at the bottom of the
emargination is very short and rather narrow, scarcely wider
than the fimbriate sides; it is broadly and feebly sinuate at
apex; sixth segment parabolically emarginate at tij), the
notch being slightly wider than deep, exterior angles nar-
rowly rounded; seventh narrowly and acutely incised or di-
vided along its lower surface as in the preceding species.
The structure of the posterior tibiae is peculiar to the genus
as far as I have observed.
21 — L. greg'alis u- sp. — Moderately slender, black, abdomen scarcely paler
at tip; elytra slightly piceous; legs d irk castaueous, tibiae toward tip and tarsi
paler; antenna piceoiis-black at base, fuscous in the middle, testaceous at
tip; pubescence sparse anteriorly, rather long, dense and coarse on the
elytra, \evy fine, dense and short on the abdomen, not conspicuous; integu-
ments polished. Head rather large, as wide as long; base broadly and feebly
arcuate, angles broadly rounded; sides parallel and distinctly arcuate; epi-
stoma broad, moderately produced, truncate; antennal tuberculations small,
rather prominent; labrum moderate, teeth slightly defiexed, small, equilat-
ero-triangular, antennae distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax
together, second joint slightly shorter and distinctly more robust than the
third, distinctly longer than the fourth; surface rather strongly convex,
finely, very feebly and densely imnctate; median line rather wide, Prothorax
moderate, slightly longer than wide, very slightly narrower than the head;
sides parallel, nearly straight in the middle; base broadly and feebly arcuate,
broadly sub-truncate in the middle; apex strongly and evenly arcuate at the
sides; nuchal emargination narrow, not one-third as wide as the disk, rather
strongly incurvate; apical angles very broadly rounded, basal slightly more
broadly so; disk transversely and moderately convex, very finely mar-
gined along the base, rather coarsely, very sparsely and excessively' feebly
punctate in the middle, much more finely, distinctly and densely so at
the sides; median impunctate area rather broad. Elytra at base very slightly
wider than the pronotum, scarcely wider than the head; sides very slightly
divergent jDosteriorly and very feebly arcuate; together broadly, roundly
and very feebly sinuate behind; disk one-fourth longer IJian wide, one-third
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 27
longer than the pronotniu, very feebly convex, very broadly and feebly im-
pressed along the very slightly elevated suture, finely, rather strongly and
densely, snb-asperately and evenly punctate. Abdomen at base nearly as
wide as the elytra; sides parallel and ver3'^ feebly arcuate; surface very finely,
sub-asperately and densely punctate. Legs slender; anterior tarsi very
slightly dilated; first joint of the posterior nearly one-half longer than the
second, sub-equal in length to the fifth. Length 3.5 mm.
Santa Clara Co, 11.
The type is a male, tlie sexual characters being of the
same general order as in the preceding group of species,
although distinctl}^ modified; the fifth segment is broadly
and rather feebly emarginate nearly throughout its width at
apex, the sides of the notch being very strongly convergent
and feebly incurvate, each having aporrected fringe of about
thirteen robust, closely-placed spinules; the median por-
rected process is very narrow, about one-half as wide as the
fimbriate sides, and exceedingly short, with the sides acute
and not broadly rounded as in the preceding species; it is
broadly, roundly and rather strongly emarginate throughout
its width at apex, and has its surface smooth, glabrous and
conically impressed; sixth segment broadly and parabolic-
ally emarginate at apex, the notch being twice as wide as
deep, and having the edge at the bottom narrowly mem-
branous; seventh segment broadly divided.
22 — L. mimula u- sp. — Form rather slender, intense black throughout except
the abdomen at tip which is slightly paler; legs rather dark brownish-flavate;
antennre black at base, becoming dark fuscous toward tip; pubescence very
sparse anteriorly, long, coarse and rather sparse on the elytra, very fine and
moderately dense on the abdomen; integuments polished. Head moderate;
base truncate, angles rather narrowly rounded; sides parallel and nearly
straight; surface scarcely as wide as long, moderately convex, verj^ finely,
moderately feebly and rather densely punctate; median line rather broad;
epistoma moderate in width, slightlj^ j^^'O^^^^ced, broadly and feebly arcuate at
the apex; antennal tuberculations small, rather prominent; labrum moderate
in size, teeth broader than long, scarcely deflexed, distinct; antennje slightly
shorter than the head and prothorax together, basal joint rather robust.
Prothorax scarcely perceptibly narrower than the head, slightly longer than
wide; sides parallel, straight or very feebly sub-sinuate in the middle; base
broadly and feebly arcuate, broadly sub-truncate in the middle; apex strongly
28 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
arcuate at the sides; nuchal emargination one-tbird as wide as the disk,
strongly and evenly incurvate; anterior angles rather broadly rounded, basal
slightly more broadly so; disk very evenly, moderatelv and transversely con-
vex, punctured as in r/regalis. Eli/tra at base distinctly wider than the iDro-
thorax and slightly wider than the head; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate;
together broadly, roundly and moderately sinuate behind; disk scarcely per-
ceptibly impressed along the very slightly elevated suture, one-fourth longer
than wide, nearly one-half longer than the pronotum, finely, feebly, sub-
asperately, evenly and not densely punctate. Abdomen rather narrow, at
base distinctly narrower than the elytra; sides parallel and feebly arcuate;
surface finely, feebly, sub-asperately and densely punctate. Legs slender;
first joint of the posterior tarsi one-third longer thiin the second, distinctly
shorter than the fifth. Length 3.3 mm.
Santa Cruz Co., 5; Santa Clara Co., 3; San Mateo Co., 3.
Described from the male; the fifth segment is broadly and
feebly emarginate at apex, the sides of the emargination
being extremely strongly convergent and feebly incurvate,
each having a fringe of nine closely-placed spinules; the
median process is very short, fully as wide as the fimbriate
sides, its lateral extremities being in the form of strong
acute porrected teeth, and having the apex broadly roundly
and strongly emarginate throughout its width, its surface
being scarcely perceptibly impressed; the remaining seg-
ments modified nearly as in gregalis. The species resembles
the preceding to such an extent that great care is requisite
in its identification; it is, however, distinguishable by its
narrower head with straighter sides and much more narrowly
rounded basal angles, by its longer elytra, which are also
decidedly more sparsely and feebly punctate, and by its
sexual characters. The pronotum and elytra are sometimes
paler perhaps from immaturity.
23— L. languida n- sp.— Form rather slender, depressed; head black; ab-
domen piceous, slightl}' paler at tip; pronotum dark rufo-fuscous; sides and
apex of the elytra broadly pale brownish-tlavate, central and basal portions
shaded darker, castaneous; legs pale flavate throughout; an teunre piceous-black
at base, becoming gradually rather pale testaceous toward the apex; pubescence
of the elytra and abdomen not very dense, fine and inconspicuous. Head
nearly as wide as long; base truncate in the middle, angles moderately broadly
rounded; sides parallel and nearly straight; surface moderately convex, rather
CALIFORXIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 29
coarsely, xevy feebly aud somewhat sparsely punctate; median line broad;
epistoma moderately produced, In-oadly and feebly arcuate at apex; anteunal
tuberculations feeble, not prominent; antennae nearly as long as the he.id
and prothorax together, second joint slightly shorter than the third and much
longer than the fourth, not very robust, third three times as long as wide.
Prothorax just perceptibly narrower than the head, very slightly longer than
wide; sides parallel, nearly straight in the middle; base and apex broadly,
nearly evenly and rather strongly arcuate, the latter very slightly the more
strongly so; nuchal emargination much more than one- third as wide as the
disk, broadly and very feebly incurvate; anterior and posterior angles broadly
and nearly equally rounded; disk broadlj^ and rather feebly convex, rather
coarsely, sparsely and excessively feebly punctate in the middle, the punc-
tures becoming tiner, more distinct and denser toward the sides; median im-
XDunctate area rather broad. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the protho-
rax, slightly wider than the head; sides parallel, feebly and nearly evenly-
arcuate; together broadly, roundly and moderately sinuate behind; disk one-
fourth longer than wide and one-third longer thstn the pronotum, rather
coarsely, densely, evenly and sub-asperately punctate. Abdomen at base dis-
tinctly narrower than the elytra; sides i)arallel and nearly straight; surface
very minutely, feebly, densely aud sub-asperately punctate; border ^rather
narrow and deep, slightly paler in color. Legs slender; first joint of the pos-
terior tarsi one-half longer than the second, sub-equal in length to the fifth.
Length 4.0 mm.
Sonoma Co., 1 S .
Eesembles the preceding two species in its elongate pro-
thorax, but possessing a still different modification of the
male sexual characters. The fifth segment is broadly emar-
ginate nearly throughout its width at apex, the sides of the
emargination being feebly convergent and nearly straight,
each having aporrected fringe of seven rather widely-spaced
spinules; the median process is very short and broad, being
twice as wide as either of the fimbriate sides adjoining; it is
broadly, feebly and evenly arcuate throughout its width at
apex, and without any appearance of lateral teeth ; sixth seg-
ment strongly and parabolically emarginate at apex, the
notch being nearly one-half wider than deep.
METAXYOLONTA n. gen.
In this genus, represented by two closely-allied spe-
cies, the form and general appearance again differ most
30 CALIFOKNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
decidedly from anytliing hitherto described; the head is
small, triangular, with very large, coarsely granulated eyes,
robust antennae and with an entirely different structure of
the labrum. The species are rather robust, and the integu-
ments throughout are strongly alutaceous, this appearance
being produced upon some portions of the body by an ex-
cessively minute and dense punctuation, and upon others by
a correspondingly minute and dense granulation. The head
in both of the forms here described is blackish, the remain-
der of the body, legs, labrum and antennae being flavate or
clouded slightly with brownish ; they are very rare although
the species may perhaps be relatively more numerous.
24 — ]y[, alutacea i^- sp. — Rather robust; head fusco-castaueous or nearly
piceous-black; pronotum aud abdomeu concoloroiis, pale castaneous; elytra
still paler, brownish-testaceous; legs uniformly flavate; antenme uniformly
pale reddish-flavate throughout; palpi flavate; pubescence fine, moderately
dense, coarser aud more conspicuous on the elytra; integuments alutaceous.
Head mode»ate, as wide as long; sides parallel, short and distinctlj^ arcuate;
base truncate, angles broadly rounded; eje% very large, at scaicely their own
lengths from the basal angles, not prominent, rather coarsely granulate;
epistoma rather strongly produced, sides strongly convergent toward the
apex, truncate anteriorly; antennal tubetculations rather strong, small; sur-
face moderately convex, extremely minutely and densely punctate, with a
very narrow median impuuctate line, having two widely distant, annular,
setigerous punctures between the eyes and one behind each antenual tuber,
culation, also several small ones near and behind the eyes; antennas rather
robust, slightly longer than the head and prothorax together, basal joint
about three times as long as wide, second two-thirds as long as the third,
nearly as long as the fourth, joints four to ten decreasing in length, the latter
scarcely as wide as long, eleventh ovoidal, obtusely acuminate, much shorter
than the two preceding together. Prothorax very slightly wider than long,
sub-equal in width to the head; sides very feebly convergent from apex to
base, the latter narrowly truncate in the middle; apex broadly and rather
feebly arcuate, narrowly and feebly sinuate in the middle; apical and basal
angles equally and very broadly rounded; disk transversely and very feebly
convex, extremely minutely and densely punctate; punctures slightly more
sjjarse near the middle, where there is a very narrow and obscure median
impunctate line. Elytra at base very slightij^ wider than the pronotum; sides
nearly parallel, very slightly arcuate; together broadly and feebly sinuate at
apex; outer angles rounded; disk quadrate, one-fourth longer than the prono-
tum, feebly convex, feebly impressed on the suture toward base, the suture
not elevated, very minutely, evenly and densely granulose; the granulations
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 31
separated hy more than their own widths and setigerous. Abdomen rather
robust, nearly as wide as the elytra; border moderate; surface very minutely,
feebly, denseh' and sub-asperately punctate, the asperities being arranged in
very close, interrupted, tran&verse wavy lines. Legs moderate; anterior tarsi
distinctly dilated, fourth joint slightly emargiuate, first four joints of the
posterior tarsi decreasing uniformly and very gradually in length, the first
less than one-half longer than the second and much shorter than the fifth,
fourth longer than wide. Length 3.8 mm.
Santa Clara Co., 1 6 ,
The fifth ventral segment is thickened in the middle third
at apex, the edge being obliquely beveled and having a
dense comb -like row of very minute, parallel, longitudinal
black ridges or strigse; sixth segment broadly and very
strongly emarginate at apex, tlie emargination acutely
rounded anteriorly and having at each side, slightly distant
from the edge of the notch and at about the middle of its
length, a small brush of very long densely-placed hairs;
seventh segment very narrowly divided, truncate at tip,
large and prominent.
25 — M. quadricollis n- sp. — Form rather robust; head piceous-black;prouo-
tum and elytra pale rufo-testaceous, the latter slightly the paler; abdomen
pale brownish-fuscous; legs, antenna;, labrum and palpi concolorous, very
pale flavate; pubescence sparse anteriorly, coarser, much denser and not
very conspicuous on the elytra and abdomen, distinctly denser on the latter;
integuments alutaceous. Head moderate, as wide as long; sides short, par-
allel; base truncate, angles rather broadly rounded and slightlj' prominent;
surface moderately and evenly convex, extremely minutely and densely
punctate, with a very narrow median line which is totallj^ obliterated ante-
riorly; antennas rather robust, as long as the head and prothorax together,
second joint three-fourths as long as the third. Prothorax nearly quadrate;
sides parallel and feebly arcuate; base broadly and rather feebly arcuate;
apex broadly arcuate, very feebly and roundly emarginate in the middle
third, with the edge at each side just without the emargination slightly sinu-
ate; apical angles very narrowly rounded, basal broadly so; disk distinctly
longer than the head, exclusive o^ the labrum, and very slightly wider,
broadly and rather feebly convex, excessively minutely and densely punc-
tate; punctures noticeably sparser toward the middle, where there is a very
narrow imperfect impunctate line, and, near the base, a short median stria.
Elytra very slightly wider than the pro no turn; sides parallel and slightly
arcuate; together broadly and extremely feebly sinuate at apex; disk slightly
longer than wide, scarcely one-fourth longer than the pronotum, very mi-
32 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
niitely and densely granulate. Abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra;
sides nearly parallel; surf.ice minutely, densely and sub-asperately punctate,
without any arrangement in wavy rows. Legs moderate; anterior tarsi mod-
erately dilated; first four joints of the posteiior decreasing uniformly and
very gradually in length, the first one-half longer than the second and
shorter than the fifth. Length 8.8 mm.
Lake Co., 1 $> (Mr. Fuclis).
This species is rather closely allied to the preceding, the
sexual characters being almost identical, the surface of the
fifth segment being slightly more strongl}^ swollen in the
middle near the apex and the notch of the sixth being very
slightly more broadly rounded in quadricoUis; in the form and
size of the pronotum, relative length of the elytra, and in
the punctuation of the abdomen, the two species are, how-
ever, so distinct that it can scarcely be possible to confound
them.
The eastern Litlioclmris corticina Grav. is somoAvhat allied
to this genus, but is scarcely congeneric. The labrum in
corticina is very large, broadly explanate and rounded at the
sides; in the middle of its apical margin it has a small
abrupt emargination, at the bottom of which there is an
obtuse tooth which is the prolongation of a small anterior
dorsal carina. In the general form of the head it is strik-
ingly different from the members of Metaxyodonta.
L. confluens Say must form the type of a genus quite dis-
tinct from any other here described, because of the very
different structure of the posterior tarsi which are short and
rather robust, and in which the basal joint is slightly shorter
than the second and less than one-half as long as the fifth.
For this genus I would propose the name Trachysectus.
I am indebted to Dr. J. Hamilton of Allegheny and Mr.
F. M. Webster of Lafayette, Indiana, for specimens of these
species. ^.y.^^
luJBRARV.J
-♦vt^
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
33
APPENDIX.
HESPEROBIUM n. gen. (Pfederini),
It is not without great difl&clence that I here propose a new
name for the American species which have been hitherto
placed in Cryptobium ; especially is this the case since the
South American and Mexican species have been passed over
almost in silence regarding their generic distinctness by Dr.
Sharp, and the North x4.merican forms, first by Dr. LeConte
and afterwards, independently, by Dr. Horn. Being moved,
however, by the conviction that scientific nomenclature has
arrived at such a stage that to longer abstain from recogniz-
ing and differentiating distinct generic subdivisions, can only
be conducive to a superficial knowledge of nature and be
detrimental to a scientific arrangement of the species as a
whole, I have concluded to make the division and give the
differential descriptions in the form of parallel columns, by
which means the chief distinctive features cfan be more
readily compared.
In the following statement tlie type of Hesperobium is the
Calif orniau H. tiunldiim Lee, the characters of Cryptobium
Mann, being taken from the very thorough treatise by Mr.
C. Eey iTpon the Piederini (Hist! Nat. Col. Fr., 1878).
Cryptobium.
Labrum short, sinuate and biden-
ticulate in the middle of its anterior
maroiu.
3— Bull. Cal. Acap. Sct. II. 5i .•
Hesperobium.
Labrum very short and broad,
feebly and triangularly emarginate
throughout its width at apex, not
denticulate but having in the middle,
at the apex of the triangular notch a
small rounded emargination; sides
strongly convergent toward the base;
apical angles narrowly rounded.
Printecl January 27, 1886.
34
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Third joint of the maxillary palpi
gradually aud rather strongly dilated
toward the apex which is truncate;
fourth small, slender and subulate.
Labial palpi short wdth the two ba-
sal joints sub -cylindrical, the second
a little longer than the first; the
third small, slender, acuminate.
Third joint long and slender, rather
feebly dilated, cbconical; fourth
short, sligh 1 1}^ oblique, conical, acute-
ly pointed, nearly as wide at base as
the apex of the third and received
partly within it.
Labial palpi slender, first joint
longer than wide, about one-half as
long as the second, which is slender
and more or less dilated at the apex;
third conical, very slender, acute,
much narrower at base than the apex
of the second.
Paraglossffi acuminate. Paraglossas elliptically rounded at
tip.
Antennae having the second and Antennae with the second joint
third joints sub-equal. distinctly shorter than the third.
There are also differences in the structure of the abdomen, and in the rela-
tive sizes of the segments.
Except in the characters given above, the two genera are
somewhat similar. In applying these to the entire group of
North American species, it is easily seen that the antennal
structure is not entirely constant, there being a few species
in which the second and third joints are nearl}^ equal in
length. The components of a very limited group of small
species containing pusillum, lepidum, etc., have the fourth
joint of the maxillary palpi small, acicular and not conicah,
and those should x:)robably be referred to a closely-allied
genus or to a sub-ganus; all the others have the fourth joint
conical and pointed, although varying greatly in thickness
at the base', all being, however, variations of one common
type, which is the conical and acutely pointed. Dr. Sharp
J LeConte-Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. XVII, 1878, p. 392.
'^ The two species, convergens and parallelum, described by me (Cont. II,
pj). 129-131), aud very erroneously united by Dr. Horn (Ent. Amer. I, p. 109)
under the head of an entirely distinct B\)ec\e^—jloridanum — serve as a good
illustration of this variability of the fourth joint, this being conical and very
narrow, small and almost acicular in convergent, and scarcely longer than
wide, being strongly conical, flattened and almost as broad at base as the
apex of the third in parallelum. Having here incidentally made a correction
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 35
(Biol. Cent.-Amer., I, Ft 2, p. 506), probably because of
this variability, considers the palpal structure as of minor
importance when compared with others, and does not even
employ it in subdividing the genus, although this has been
done with more or less success by Dr. Le Conte (Proc. Am.
Phil. Soc. XYII, 1878, p. 390), but without considering the
structure of the maxillary palpi, we still have, I think,
enough characters remaining to confirm the validity of Hes-
perobium.
Dr. Sharp, in the work above mentioned, divides the
Central American species into groups depending upon the
presence or absence of a lateral raised line upon the lower
part of the flank of each elytron; when the Paederini have
been sufficiently studied as a group, it may be found desira-
ble to give this character a generic import, in which case
the name Hesperobium should be retained for the species
having this lateral line, as it is present in the type which is
assumed above as representing the genus. It is also present
in califormcum, and in an undescribed species, represented
in my cabinet by a unique male, found near San Francisco;
it is probably characteristic of the Calif ornian species as a
group'.
In describing several species of this genus (Cent. II, pp.
1'27-133), attention was called to two very large and promi-
nent annular punctures, or more properly areolae, situated
behind the eyes. I think that these punctures are of greater
importance from a systematic standpoint than was at first
supposed, as they constitute one of the distinguishing fea-
tures of Hesperobium and the ilmerican species of Lathro-
iu Hynonjmj, I take the present opportunity to say in addition, that it is
very difficult to reconcile Dr. Horn's assertion regarding the mutual identity
of my H. capito and H. pallipes, Grav., with the statement made by Erichson
in the description of the latter, viz: " Thorax latitudine sesqui fere longior."
The prothorax in cax^ito is "scarcely one-fifth longer than wide." (Cont. II,
p. 128.)
3 This line is also well developed in the Californian species which have
been referred to Lathrobium and which are probably generically distinct.
36 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
biiim, being absent in the latter genus. In Hesperobkim
ccdifornicnm they are very large, slightly oval, strongly an-
nular and crater-like, occupying the entire summits of slight
elevations, and having their planes not exactly parallel to
the general surface but tilted very slightly forward, so that
the slope of the elevation is more prominent behind. Be-
tween them the surface is narrowly elevated or tumid in a
longitudinal direction, and from the middle of each arises a
very long erect seta from an annular median tubercle, which
corresponds to the cone of the crater. These most singular
structures are probably an additional distinctive feature of
Hes23erobium.
The genus Homseotarsus founded by Hochuth upon an
Armenian species, does not concern us at the present time,
as, although the maxillary palpi are apparently of like struc-
ture, it is, in almost all other respects, entirely similar to
Cryptobium (Lac. Gen. Col. 11, p. 90).
II.
In the first volume of this Bulletin, page 315, 1 stated that
the mandibles in Or us were qiiadridentate within. This is
true only of the riglit mandible. Since the publication of the
paper referred to, I have examined the left mandible and
find it tridentate, the three teeth being small, approximate
and situated almost exactly in the middle of the inner margin;
the two basal ones are erect, slightly longer than wide, acute
and equal, the third being longer and more slender, acute
and rather strongly inclined toward the apex, the latter
being evenly and strongly arcuate, very acute and slender.
This combination of four teeth in the right and three in the
left mandible is of frequent occurrence in the portion of the
Psederini near and related to Lithocharis, where the man-
dibular characters appear to lose the importance wdiich they
possess in some other portions of the i;roup. Tlie abnormal
arrangement of the teeth in Orus therefore, although it cannot
of itself be maintained as a generic character, still serves to
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 37
show that which may easily be inferred from its general ap-
pearance, viz: that it is much more nearly related to Litho-
cliaris and its allies than it is to Scopf^us. It should, in
fact, in a systematic arrangement of our Pa^derini, immedi-
ately precede Caloderma which it resembles in its 4-dentate
labrum, and from which it is distinguished, as before re-
marked, by its strongly inflated third maxillary palpal joint,
and also by its elongate prothorax and short basal joint of
the posterior tarsi.
III.
A considerable number of new genera having been de-
scribed since the publication of the Classification of the Col-
roptera of North America by LeConte and Horn, I would
propose the following as a substitute for the one given in
that work, page 99, for those Psederi which have the fourth
tarsal joint simple.
It will be noticed that, in the following table, the genicu-
lation of the antennae is considered of secondary import-
ance when compared with other characters. Although this
geniculation varies greatl}' in amount, I have yet failed to
observe a single species of Nortii American Paederini in
which it is not more or less manifest; the character is there-
fore merel\- one of degree and is onlj'of importance when
present in its extremes. There is. however, a marked diff-
erence in the nature of the geniculation. In Hesperobium,
and probably also Ababactus, the deep emargination at the
apex of the scape which receives the second joint when
flexed, is at the anterior portion of the apex, so that the
funicle is bent to the front, while in the second section this
emargination is at the back of the apex, so that Avheu flexed
the funicle projects posteriorly. It is also to be noted that
the geniculation of the antennae prevailing in the Paederini
is not like that to be seen in some other groups of Coleop-
tera, where the second joint is placed almost immovabl}" at
an angle with the scape, and which could appropriately
be termed vujidly r/euiculate. In this group the funicle is
38 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
capable of being flexed or straightened at pleasure, and, in
contradistinction to the former, such an antenna might be
called flexibly geniculate.
Basal joint of tlie aiitenuae greatly elongated, sub-equal iu leugtli to tlie next
three or four together; antennae strongly and anteriorly geniculate.
Neck broad Hesperobium.
Neck narrow Ababactus.
Basal joint of the antennae not greatly elongated; antennas posteriorly and
more or less strongly geniculate.
First four joints of the i)osterior tarsi sub-equal, first not longer than th8
second.
Neck rather broad.
Prothorax sub-quadrate or slightly elongate; labrum bilobed
Lathrobium.
Prothorax narrowed from apex to base; labrum truncate, not dent-
iculate, having along the lower edge of its anterior margin four
widely-spaced, very short, broadly rounded callosities, and, in the
middle a very small, rounded emargination Tr achy sect US.
Neck very slender.
Prothorax gradually narrowed anteriorly; labrum quadridentate.
Scopaeus.
Hind tarsi with the first four joints decreasing more or less gradually in
leugth.
Prothorax narrowed in front.
Labrum quadridentate Echiaster.
Labrum bidentate StilicUS.
Prothorax sub-quadrate, anterior and posterior angles more or less nar-
rowly rounded.
Labrum having four rather large sub-equal teeth; elytra much longer
than the pronotum.
First joint of the posterior tarsi very slightly longer than the second.
Orus.
First joint of the posterior tarsi sub-equal in length to the next two
together Caloderiiia.
Labium with two pairs of minute approximate teeth; elytra no longer
than the pronotum OllgoptcrUS.
Labrum bidentate; elytra variable in leugth . Llthocharls.
Labrum unidentate; elytra longer than the pronotum. Metaxyodonta.
Labrum rounded; acutely emar-inate at tip; elytra as long as the
pronotum Dacnochllus.
Labrum entire; elytra shorter than the pronotum.. . Llparocephalus.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 39
IV.
THYCE Lee.
The following species was recently announced by me
under the generic name Polyphylla (Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci.,
I, p. 285). The genus Thyce, although resembling Poly-
phylla very greatly, differs radically in antennal structure,
the club being trifoliate and the joints of tlie funicle of
nearly equal length; while in Polyphylla the greatly devel-
oped third joint is a very prominent distinctive feature, in
addition to the more complex club.
In T. marginata the anterior tibiae have two teeth exclu-
sive of the exterior apical spur which is very pronounced;
these teeth are very unequal, the one nearer the base being
very short and obtuse. The males have a large and rather
feeble impression in the middle of the abdomen near the
base. I have not seen the female.
T. marginata n. sp. — Form moderately robust; sides distinctly arcnate;
prothorax piceous; elytra rufo-fnscous: the former having three posteriorly
divergent lines of whitish sqnamose pubescence, the exterior ones widest and
interrupted in the middle, the median very fine and almost obsolete toward
base; each elytron having along the exterior edge a very wide line of plumbeo-
cinereous and very slender squamose pubescence, not very densely placed,
which is recurved at the apex continuing thence along the suture as a nar-
row, whiter and much better defined line to the base; between these there is
another very fine line terminating at one-fifth the length from the apex; pub-
escence elsewhere fine and very sparse; legs and antennae fuscous; each ven-
tral segment having au irregular spot of whitish squamiform pubescence at
each side next the elytra. Head excluding the eyes slightly longer than
wide, sub-quadrate; clypeus moderately reflexed, broadly and feeblj^ sinuate
anteriorly; angles right and not at all rounded; pubescence long, rather
sparse, mixed wuth squamose hairs near the base and sides; antennte well
developed, funicle two-thirds as long as the club and nearly as long as the
head, club viewed upon the broad side slightly' wider at apex than at base,
three and one-half times as long as wide, Prothorax widest at the middle of
its median length where it is four-fifths wider than long; sides thence
strongly convergent and feebly arcuate to the apical angles, feebly convergent
and straight to the basal angles which are obtuse and slightly rounded; base
broadly angulate, feebly sinuate toward each basal angle; disk strongly con-
vex, rather fiuely, moderately densely and irregularly punc'ate; punctures
round, very shallow, variolate. Elytra at base slightly wider than the pro-
thorax; sides parallel and feebly arcuate; together slightlj' less than one-half
40 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
longer than wide, two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, very finely,
sparsely, feeblj^aud irregularly punctate; punctures asperate. Pj^gidium wider
than long, feebly convex, finely and rather sparsely punctate, moderately
sparsely and evenly covered with short slender squamose pubescence. Poste-
rior tar-i short, two-thirds as long as the tibias; claws moderate, having a small
erect acute tooth interiorly near the base. Length 19 0 mm.; width 8.5 mm.
California (San Diego Co.), also probably Lower Cali-
fornia.
Five or six sj)ecimens were taken by Mr. G. W. Dunn,
and I have received tlie present specimen through the kind-
ness of Mr. W. G. W. Harford.
This species differs from sc/uamicolUs, Lee. in almost every
character given by Dr. LeConte in the original description
of the latter (Journ. Phil. Acad. HI, Nov. 1856, p. 225).
It may, however, perhaps be best to call special attention
to the more salient differences. These are the size, squami-
collis being one-third longer, and the form and vestiture of
the head and prothorax, the latter in marginafa, having no
sign of a median channel, with the surface not impressed
toward the anterior angles, and having the punctuation ex-
tremely sparse near tlie sides of the pronotal disk. The
scutellum in marginata has no glabrous line, and the pygi-
dium is rather sparsely squamose. If .^qaainicollis possessed
three prominent lines of scales upon the pronotum. with the
surface elsewhere almost entirely free from them, or if it
had three distinct lines of slightly denser pubescence upon
each elytron, it is to be presumed that such striking charac-
ters would have been mentioned by Dr. LeConte; this
purely negatives evidence alone, therefore, is almost conclu-
sive proof of the specific distinctness of iuarginata and of
its validit3\
V.
EERATA.
Several errors occurring in thj paper published by me in the preceding vol-
ume of this Bulletin require correction, as follows:
Page 'iOD — jth line from bottom, for "Colodera" rad "Calodera."
Page 3:1 - 1st line of descr., for '"L. longipennis" re id "V. longipennis."
Page 327 — 10th and 15tli lines from top, for " Horniariim" rend " Honii-
anum."
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSITE. 41
STUDIES IN THE BOTANY OF CALIFORNIA AND PARTS
ADJACENT.
BY EDWARD LEE GREENE.
IV.
i. On Some Chicoriaceous Compositce.
The type of the genus Mlcroseris, Don, is a South Ameri-
can plant, and we have no North American species which
agree with it in both habit and pappus. It has ten awn-
tipped pale^e; the Oalifornian species which seem truly con-
generic with it. have live only. These species of the northern
hemisphere are about seven or eight in number, and agree
in aspect perfectly with their type. The}- are acaulescent
annuals, with rosulate-depressed leaves, slender scapes,
which are always decumbent at base, never at all thickened
above, supporting heads which are uniformly nodding, both
before and after flowering, becoming for the second time
erect at the maturity of the fruit.
The name Calais^ DC. appears to be but in j^art s^^nony-
mous with Mlcroseris. DeCandolle himself thought it might
eventually be shown that he had included under Calais the
types of two genera; and I am persuaded fully that his
§ Calocalais is a real genus, distinct from Mlcroseris. The
species are few. Their palese are five, but the awn rises
from an apical notch. These plants are never really acau-
lescent. Their leaves are ascending, or erect, on the short
or long stems. The peduncles are stout, strictly erect,
thicker above, and the heads are firmly erect at all stages of
growth. Of this peculiar aspect and character there are
about five species, four of which have already their suitable
names under Calais.
4— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. .5. Issued March 6, 1886,
42 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Scorzonella, was thirty years ago reduced by Dr. Gray
to Calais. Bentham and Hooker, in the Genera Plantarum,
while reducing the whole of DeCandolle's Calais to Micro-
seris, in recognition of the priority of the latter name, nev-
ertheless perceived the validity of Scorzonella as a genus,
and restored it; but in the Synoptical Flora, as well as an-
tecedently, in volume nine of the proceedings of the Ameri-
can Academy, it reappears as a mere section of Microseris.
Having studied these plants diligently on their native soil
during some six or seven years, I can but agree with the
able and experienced founder of the genus, and with the
learned authors of the Genera Plantarum, that Scorzonella
should stand. Here the pappus-bristles are somewhat in-
definite in number, and are mostly real bristles with palea-
ceous-dilated base, rather than awn-tipped pale^e. The
plants, while caulescent like Calais, have nodding heads like
Microseris, quite distinctive involucres, fusiform perennial
roots, and are gestival in flowering; whereas the two kindred
genera of annuals have but a very short and strictly vernal
season of flowering and fruiting. April is their month, and
it is usually in vain to look for them after the beginning of
May.
There are some three species of this particular alliance,
upon which the eminent author aforenamed in the Plantae
FendlerianaB established a genus Ptilophora, concerning
which I judge all to have been well, save that the name was
already in use for a genus of sea-weeds. These jDlants,
while wholly in keeping with Scorzonella, as regards their
general aspect, and perennial root, have a pappus of quite
different character. The only distinction which has hitherto
been definitely stated is that the numerous bristles are white
and soft-plumose. This is doubtless the most obvious, in-
deed it may be the only difference noticeable at first sight,
in the very best of herbarium specimens, unless it be this,
that the texture of the pappus is not only soft, but very
fragile, which is not true of that of any Sco7'zonella. Now,
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSURE. 43
the field observer, coming in sight of one of these plants in
ripe fruit, perceives that these pappus-plumes are not
straight and ascending as in all other genera of this group,
but that they are regularly and gracefully recurved. This
naturally and perfectly developed fruit, just ready to be set
afloat in mid air on the jarring or shaking of the parent re-
ceptacle, will never be found in herbarium specimens. The
nearly ripe heads which partially unfold their pappus after
drying, show every character but this important one. It
seems to me never to have been spoken of in relation to the
large and somewhat varied genus, Stephanomeria, where it is
universal, and will serve to distinguish between that and its
nearest ally, Rafinesquia, in which, if my memory serves
faithfully, the pappus is straight. Dr. Kellogg must have
observed this neat characteristic of the genus in tj^uestion,
when he collected the common species in 1870; and it may
well have been this which led him to refer to the plant, with
a doubt, to Stephanomeria. The quick eye of our venerable
pioneer caught at once the new fact, and he unconsciously
recorded it in his misnomer. The last peculiar mark of the
genus was detected by myself, lately, upon examining the
excellent herbarium specimens with which we are now sup-
plied. There are clear traces of a double pappus. I find
on about one half of the akenes a solitary, firm, merely
scabrous bristle, exterior to the plumose-awned palese, and
of less than half their length, a kind of character which
comes out strongly in another Chicoriaceous genus of Cali-
fornia, namely, Malacothrix, between which and Scorzonella
this very clear one ought to be placed. Dr. Gray, a few
years subsequently to his founding of FtilopJiora, having
discovered that name to be a synonym, and also having evi-
dently lost somewhat of his faith in the validity of the
genus, reduced it to Calais; yet with express misgiving, and
not without bespeaking for it another generic name in case
it should ultimately demand restoration to that rank. Under
that very appropriate name, Ftilocalais, I propose its rein-
statement.
44 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
There is a perennial, acaulescent plant of northern habitat
which, although ndmitted by Dr. Gray into his superlatively
h^mplified Microseris, is, in my opinion, to be excluded from
8co7^zoneUa, to which it is more related than to any other
recognized genus. The palene of its pappus are soft and
slender, ending in a sharp, but hardly awn-like point: its
involucre has a peculiarity, and the heads are never nodding.
The specific name, troximoides, was given on account of the
close resemblance which the species bears to Troximon cus-
pidatum. But this last-named plant appears to be entirely
out of place in Troximon; for its pappus is composed, partly
of capillary bristles, and partly of very narrow palese. My
conclusion is, that these two plants will constitute the most
perfectly natural genus in the whole group, and I so place
them, adopting the name which Dr. Gray coined for sec-
tional use under his Microseris.
The form of the akenes in these genera, whether turbinate
or cylindrical with truncate apex, or whether more or less
attenuate upwards, would seem to be of specific but not
generic importance. The basal callosity, although not very
seriously taken under consideration by Dr. Gray, appears to
have merited more deliberate attention; for, in Microseris,
as here defined, it manifests a character which runs through
all the species, without reappearing in any of the other gen-
era, except that there is a mere hint of it in Calais.
The aestivation of the pappus is of one character in all the
genera. Whether the pale^e be five, or twice or thrice or
four times that number, one^is always wholly exterior, and
an opposite one interior, while all the others are regularly
convolute. In 3Ecrosersis alone the species fall into two
quite natural groups by a difference in the expansion of the
individual palea?.
MICROSERSIS, Don.
Involucre oblong-cylindraceous to hemispherical, inner
bracts in one or two series, equal, acuminate, tliin, with
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSIT.E. 45
membranous margins; outer very short, calyculate. Re-
ceptacle flat, slightly alveolate. Akenes terete, 8 — 10-costate,
with a broad basal callosity, which is hollowed at the inser-
tion and produced upward into a sharp, denticulate-scabrous,
collar-like rim. Palese of the pappus 4-10 (usually 5),
mostly short, tapering into a long or short scabrous awn, in
one species nearly obsolete, the awn thicker but hardly flat-
tened at base. Acaulescent, glabrous annuals, with entire
or laciniately lobed on pinnatified leaves, and nodding heads
on slender scapes, which are somewhat decumbent at base
and not thickened above. Outer row of akenes commonly
silky-villous; the others usually scabrous on the ribs. Palea3
of the pappus often villous exteriorily . Genus of very limited
range east and west; not found east of the western base of
the Sierra Nevada, but occurring near the coast, from the
peninsula of Lower California to Oregon. — Microsersis, Don.
Phil. Mag. xi. 388; Benth. & Hook, ii, 506, magna pro
parte : Microseris § § Eamicroseris (excl. M. Forsteri) & Eu-
calaiSj Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 208; § Eucalcds, Bot. Cal.
i. 425, and § Calais (excl. sp.), Syn. Fl. ii. 418. Calais §
Eucalais, DC. Prod. vii. 85; Calais ^ ^ Eacalais and Apliaa-
ocalais, Gray, Pac. B. Rep. iv. 112.
^FaleceS, hoat-sha.jyed i. e., a, little incurved and the margins
involute.
M. PLATYCARPHA, Gray. — A span or more in height; head
a half inch or less in length; main bracts of involucre about
8, oblong; akenes turbinate, 2 lines long; palene ovate, 2
lines long, tapering abruptly into a very short awn. Syn.
Fl. ii, 420.
San Diego County, and on the northern part of the pen-
insula below.
M. DouGLASii, Gray, 1. c. — A span to two feet high; head
about f inch long; bracts linear-oblong; akenes oblong-tur-
binate, contracted under the summit, 3 lines long; palese
46 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ovate, 2 lines long, tapering abruptly into an awn of the
length of the akene.
Monterey to Humboldt County. Common and extremely
variable as to the villosity of the pale^e and outer row of
akenes.
M. Paeishii. — Rather smaller and more slender than the
last; akenes slender, strictly columnar, 2 lines long or more,
dark brown; palese lanceolate, 3 lines long, very gradually
tapering to an awn of a line or a line and a half.
Near San Luis Eey, April, 1881, S. B. Parish; near Tu-
lare, 1882, Dr. C. C. Parry; also collected by the writer near
San Diego, 1885.
A very distinct species, evidently belonging to the south-
ern part of the State.
M. ATTENUATA, Greene. — A few inches to a foot and a
half high; involucre J — f inch long; akenes 4 lines long, at-
tenuate-fusiform, the narrowed upper half vacant; palese
oblong-lanceolate, a line and a half long, tipped wdth an
awn of twice that length. Bull. Torr. Club, ix, 111; Gray,
1. c, 419.
Near Berkeley, and eastward to the valle3'S of the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin.
^"^Palece straight and flat, 5, except in the last species.
M. ACUMINATA, Greene. — Size and aspect of the last, the
heads an inch long; akenes slenderly fusiform-turbinate, 3
lines long; palese 4 — 5 lines long, lanceolate, very gradually
tapering to an awn of 2 — 3 lines. Bull. Torr. Club, x, 88;
Gray, 1. c.
Same range as the last species, and rather more common.
M. BiGELOVii, Gray, 1. c. — A foot in height, more or less:
head about a half inch: akenes oblong-turbinate, hardly
2 lines long: pale^e oblong- to ovate-lanceolate, much smaller
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSITE. 47
tlian in tlie preceding species, but variable in length : pass-
ing into an awn twice or tliriceas long.
Common in the middle coast section of the State: the
awn very long in proportion to the palea.
M. ELEGANS, Greene. — A span or more high, slender:
head less than a half inch : akenes turbinate, little more than
a line long : paleee ovate-deltoid, a half line long, the slender
awn about 2 lines. — Gray, 1. c.
From the mesas back of San Diego to the plains east of
Mt. Diablo. Seldom collected, but perhaps not very rare.
M. APHANTOCARPHA, Gray, 1. c. — Twelve to eighteen inches
high, and rather stout : leaves laciniate-toothed or nearly en-
tire, seldom deeply pinnatifid: heads a half inch high, many-
flowered, and subglobose: akenes oblong-clavate, hardly
2 lines long: palete minute and very broad or nearly obso-
lete, the bristles very slender and fragile, about 3 lines
long.
Common in the region of San Francisco Bay, and ex-
tremely variable as to the pappus, which consists often of
bristles with thickened, rather than paleaceous base. It is
possible that we have here two or three species, but more
probably they are mere forms, passing imperce^^tibly into
each other. The leaves are less dissected in this than in
any of the others.
M. PYGM.EA, Don. — About a span high: akenes 1 — 2 lines
long, slenderly turbinate: paleee 10, lanceolate, a line or
more long, slightly notched at the apex, and tipped with a
somewhat barbellate awn of about 2 lines. — Phil. Mag. xi.
388; Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 209.
Native of Chili. The North American species which
looks most like this type of the genus is M. Bigelovii. The
principal difference between them is in the number of the
paleoe and the slight notch at the apex of those of M. ijyg-
moea, Avhich species in that respect only betrays an affinity
with the following genus.
48 CALIFORNIA ACADEiVIY OF SCIENCES.
CALAIS, DC. sens, restr-
Involucre conical, scarcely calyculate, bracts imbricate,
the outer successively shorter, all thin and scarious-mar-
gined. Receptacle flat, centrally more or less alveolate-
chaffy. Akenes terete, 8 — 10 costate, the basal callosity not
enlarged. Pale^e of the pappus 5, elongated, flat, bifid at
apex and short-awned. — Subaculescent annuals, all West
North American, with laciniately-lobed or pinnatifid leaves,
and erect heads, on strict, erect peduncles which are fistu-
lous-thickened above. Akenes all alike, glabrous, with scab-
rous cost 83. Palese of the pappus glabrous and more or
less denticulate. Genus of few species but of wider range
than the last, the typical species occurring eastward to the
borders of Colorado and Texas, and on the Pacific shores,
from British Columbia to the island of Guadalupe . Calais
§ Galocalais DC. Prod. vii. 85; Torr. & Gray, Fl. N. Am. ii.
471; Gray, Pac. R. Rep. iv. 112. Species of Ificroseris,
Gray, Proc. Am. Acad, ix, Bot. Cal. i. and Syn. Fl. ii.
^Palce bright, ivhite, soft, deciduous from the nearly black akenes.
C. LINEARIFOLIA, DC, Prod. 1. c.— Species of the widest
range, and of much variability as regards the height of the
stem and the number of flowers in each head. Sometimes
nearly acaulescent, and with very large heads; but around
San Diego the stem is slender and often more than a foot
high, the heads being few-flowered; but the bright pappus,
promptly deciduous from the mature, almost rostrate-atten-
uate, black akenes readily distingaishes the species in all
its forms, whether on Guadalupe or in New Mexico, Wash-
ington Territory, or California.
"^"^Palece brownish, of firm texture, persistent on the light
colored akenes.
-\-~ Awn of pappus shorter than the palea.
0. LiNDLEYi, DC. — Glabrous, a foot or two high: akenes
5 — 6 lines long, slightly attenuate toward the summit; palea
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSIT^E. 49
linear-lanceolate, 4 lines long, the awn very little shorter. —
Prod. 1. c. ; Microseris, Gray, 1. c.
From San Francisco to San Diego; equally as common as
the first species.
0. Parryi, G-ray. Furfuraceoas-puberulent, 6 — 8 inches
high: akenes 3 lines long, and not at all attenuate; palea
softer than in the last, its awn less than half as long. — Pac.
R. Rep. iv. 112; Microseris, Gray, 1. c.
Common from the plains back of Mt. Diablo to San
Diego: easily mistaken for small C. LincUeyi, but, on closer
inspection, appearing clearly distinct. The fruit is here for
the first time described. The species does not appear to
have been collected save by Dr. Parry, in a very immature
condition, and by the present writer; but it is no rarity in
the field.
H~ -5- Aiun of the pappus longer than the palea.
0. MACROCH^rA, Gray. — Like 0. Lindleyi in size and as-
pect, but akenes shorter and more attenuate at summit;
palea short, only a third as long as the awn, and cleft to the
middle.— PI. Fenld, 112; Pac. R. Rep., 1. c.
From Oregon to San Diego, but very rarely collected.
C. Kelloggii. — Also resembling G. Lindleyl: akenes 3 — 4
lines long, attenuate at each end: palea a third the length
of the awn, and with a shallow notch.
San Bruno Mountains, near San Francisco, Dr. Kellogg.
SCORZONELLA, Nutt.
Involucre campanulate; bracts herbaceous, imbricated in
in several series, the inner long-acuminate, the outer suc-
cessively shorter and acute. Receptacle flat or convex, fov-
eolate or alveolate. Akenes linear, or somewhat turbinate,
8 — 10-costate or -striate, truncate at summit, the basal cal-
losity acute and not expanded, areola lateral. Pappus of
about 10 (in one species 5) ovate or lanceolate paleoe, tipped
'50 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
with a generally mucli longer, straight, scabrous or barbel-
late bristle or awn. Glabrous perennials with fusiform
roots, stems mostly leafy at base with laciniate foliage, and
long-pecluncled heads which are nodding in the bud. In-
habiting wet grassy grounds, chieliy in the mountain dis-
tricts from middle California to British Columbia, with one
species in the high mountains of Australia and New Zealand.
Flowering in summer. — Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. vii. 426;
Torr. & Gray FL ii. 470; Benth. & Hook. Gen. PI. ii. 533.
Calais g § Scorzonella & Anacalais, Gray, Pac. R. Rep. iv.
113. Microseris § Scorzonella, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 208
and XX. 300, Bot. Cal. i. 424, and 8yn. Fl, ii. 417 (excl. M.
Parryi.
"^Caulescent. — North American species.
S. MEGACEPHALA. — Glaucous, Robust, 2 — 3 feet high :
leaves oblong, acuminate, entire above the middle, laciniate-
toothed toward the clasping base, 6 — 8 inches long : pedun-
cles stout, a foot long: heads hemispherical more than an
inch high, 2 inches broad, 200 — 225-flowered: bracts of the
involucre 40 or more, imbricated in 4 — 5 series, exterior
round-ovate, innermost ovate-lanceolate, all (the outer very
abruptly) long-acuminate: akenes 2 lines long, somewhat
turbinate: pappus brownish and firm, of 5 ovate-lanceolate
palese a line long, tapering to an awn of 3 — 4 lines.
Eel River, Mendocino County, 1866, H. N. Bolander,
being a part of his number 4737. A single specimen only,
differing from the next species, not in habit or general ap-
pearance, but remarkably distinct from it in the characters
of the involucre, akene and pappus.
S. PBOCERA. — Leaves more laciniate: not acuminate : heads
narrower, 100 — 150-flowered: bracts of involucre 25 or
more, in 2 — 3 series, the exterior ovate, innermost ovate-
lanceolate, all acuminate : akenes nearly columnar, 3 lines
long: pappus brownish, the paleae 10 (as in all the follow-
ing) lanceolate, passing into a thrice longer, barbellate
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSITE. 51
awn. — Microseris laciniata var. procera, Gray, Proc. Am.
Acad. ix. 209 Bot. Cal. i. 424; 31icroseris jprocera, Syn. Fl.
ii. 417.
From Sonoma county to the borders of Oregon.
S. PEATENSis. — Leafy at base only, the scapose peduncles
2 feet high: leaves linear, lanceolate, long-cuminate, entire,
a foot long: heads an inch high and nearly as broad; bracts
16 — 20 in 3 series, ovate — to lanceolate — acuminate: akenes
2 lines long; pappus white, 4 lines, the triangular-ovate
palea J line.
Sunny and rather moist meadow lands at Yreka, in the
northern part of the State, collected by the writer June 21,
1876, and distributed by him under number 883 as Microseris
laciniata var. lorocera. It is readily distinguishable from
the preceding and the following by its long, scapose pe-
duncles, and narrow, entire, long, slender-pointed foliage.
S. LACINIATA, Nutt. — Stem less robust and more branch-
ing and leafy than in the last : leaves pinnately parted, the
segments narrowly linear, an inch or more long: heads a
half inch high; bracts 16 — 20, from round-ovate to lanceo-
late, all abruptly acuminate: akene 2 lines long: pappus
white, about 3 lines, the ovate-lanceolate palea less than a
line.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. P vii, 426: Torr. & Gray, Fl.
ii. 470. Microseris, Gra^^, 1. c.
Northern borders of California to the confines of British
Columbia.
S. LEPT03EPALA, Nutt., 1. c. — Bracts of involucre in 2 dis-
tinct series, the ovate outer ones 5 or 6 only, and hardly
more than calyculate to the numerous, lanceolate inner ones,
akenes, white jDappus, etc., in all their parts more elongated
than in the last species; foliage less divided, often merely
toothed. Torr. and Gray, 1. c. ; Microseris, Gray, 1. c.
Same range as S. laciniata, from wdiich it differs very ob-
viouslv in the character of the involucre.
52 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
S. BoLANDEKi. — A foot or more high; leaves linear-lanceo-
late, entire or with a few linear lobes; bracts of involucre
regularly imbricated in two or three series, all gradually at-
tenuate from a broad base; pappus brownish, 5 lines long,
the ovate palea not more than a half line. Microseris, Gray,
Syn. Fl. ii. 418.
Mendocino and Humboldt counties, and northward.
S. HowELLii. — Size of the last; leaves with refracted
lobes or teeth; heads narrower. 15-20-flowered; akene 3
lines long; pappus white, a half inch, the palea lanceolate
and nearly as long as the awn. Microseris, Gray, Proc. Am.
Acad., XX, 300; Syn. Fl. Sup pi., 454.
Southern Oregon, collected only by Mr. Howell.
S. PALUDOSA. — Stems numerous, slender, 2 — 3 feet high;
leaves a foot long and from subentire to laciniate-parted,
the segments long and narrow; head an inch high, 50 — 75-
flowered; bracts 20 — 25, all tapering from a lanceolate base
into a long and slender acumination, the outer successively
shorter; akene 2 lines long; pappus brownish, the firm lan-
ceolate palea of a line or more passing gradually into a bar-
bellate awn of 4 or 5 lines. llicroseris sylvatica, var. Still-
mani, Gray, Bot. Cal., I.e. and Syn. Fl. 1. c.
Marshy grounds in the vicinity of Mt. Tamalpais, and in
other localities not far from San Francisco Bay. Here de-
scribed from excellent specimens obtained by Mrs. Curran
at Corde Madera, Marin Co. Most distinct from the fol-
lowing.
S. SYLVATICA, Benth. — A foot or two high, mostly simple
and monocephalous : head an inch high, 30 — 40-flowered:
bracts broader than in the preceding and more abruptly
acuminate: akene 3.^ lines long, columnar, the base a little
attenuate: pappus sordid, the lanceolate paleae 5 lines,
tapering to a subplumose awn of 3 lines or less. — PI. Hartw.
320. Calais, Gray, Pac. B. Eejj. iv. 112. Microseris, Gray,
1. c. excl. var. Stillmani.
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSITE. 53
From Contra Costa to Colusa Counties, on wooded hills.
Leaves commonly laciniate-pinnatifid as in most species.
S. MONTANA. — Kesembling the preceding, but stouter, the
foliage less deeply laciniate: akene linear-columnar, not nar-
rowed below, 5 lines long: pappus light brown: paleae linear-
lanceolate, truncate or slightly notchod at the apex, only 3
lines long, its short-plumose awn a little longer.
Mountains of Kern County above Tehachaj)i Pass, June,
1884, Mrs. Curran.
A coarser plant than S. sylvatica, with very different fruit.
The awn though really plumose, does not bring this species
into troublesome proximity to Ptilocalais, for it is short,
straight, and of firm texture.
^^Acaulescent. — South Pacific species.
B. SCAPIGERA. — Scorzonera scapigera, Forst. Prod. 91;
Scorzonera Lcaorencii, Hook. f. Lond. Journ. vi. 124; Phyl-
lopappus lanceolatus, Walp. in Linntea, xiv. 507; Microseris
Fosteri, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. and Fl. Tastn. i. 226;
Benth. Fl. Aust. iii. 676; Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 209.
High mountains of Australia and New Zealand. Outer
bracts of involucre somewhat calyculate, as in our S. leptose-
pala. More strictly scapose than any of our species, and a
smaller plant; commonly less than a foot high.
PTILOCALAIS, (Gray, Pac. E. Kep. iv. 113).
Perennial root, foliage, involucre, receptacle, etc., as in
Scorzonella. Pappus bright white, soft and fragile, double,
namely, of a single short, external bristle, and 15 — 20 short,
truncate or emarginate paleas, terminating in a long, grace-
fully recurving, soft-plumose capillary bristle or awn. — Ftilo-
phora, Gray, PL Fendl. 112. Calais § Ptilophora, Gray, Pac.
R. Rep.l. c; Microseris § Ptilophora, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad,
ix. 208, Bot. Cal. ii. 423, Syn. Fl. ii. 416.— Genus with the
habit of Scorzonella, but pappus resembling that of Stephano-
54 CALIFOENIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
meria, supplemented by the single exterior bristle of Mala-
cothrix. Geographical range somewhat limited north and
south, but extending from central California to Utah.
P. NUTANS. — ScorzoiieUa, Geyer in Hook. Lond. Journ. vi.
523; Ptilophora, Gray, PI. Fendl. 112; Calak, Gray, Pac. R.
Kep. iv. 112; Stephanomeria intermedia, Kellogg, Proc. Cal.
Acad. V. 39; Microseris nutans, Gray, 1. c. excl. var. major,
British Columbia and Montana to the high Sierras of
northern and middle California.
P. MAJOR. — Ptilophora, Gray, PL Fendl. 1. c; Calais^
Gray, Pac. E. Rep. 1. c; Microseris major. Gray, 1. c. excl.
var. laciniata. Utah and Idaho.
P. GRACILILOBA. — Calais graciloha, Kellogg, Proc. Cal.
Acad. 1. c; Microseris major, var. laciniata. Gray, l..c.
Still known only from Mendocino County, California; the
specimens too young, yet by their pubescence and other
characteristics, clearly enough representing a distinct spe-
cies.
NOTHOCALAIS.
Involucre oblong-campanulate; bracts in two series, nar-
rowly lanceolate, membranaceous, with thinner, somewhat
hyaline margins, nearly equal, none calyculate. Recepta-
cle fiat, alveolate. Akenes fusiform, contracted or rostrate-
attenuate at summit, 10-striate-ribbed. Pappus very white and
soft, of 10 — 30, scabrous-margined, narrow, unequal palese,
with or without some capillary bristles. — Microseris § Notho-
Calais, Gray, S\ n. PL ii. 420, with Troximon cuspidatum,
Pursh, added. Perennials with linear-attenuate, undulate
or crisped radical leaves marked by white-tomentulose mar-
gins, and monocephalous, scapose peduncles. Habitat from
Northern California to British Columbia and eastward to the
Great Lakes, on dry, open rocky places.
N. SuKSDORFii. — Akene slender, 5 lines long, rostrate-at-
CHICORIACEOUS COMPOSITE. 55'
tenuate, only half occupied by the seed : palete 10 — 12, very
narrow and nearly equal, strictly linear-attenuate, a half
inch long : involucre villous-tomentose or glabrate : scapose
peduncles exceeding the radical leaves.
Western part of Klickitat County, Washington Territory,
April and May, 1882, W. N. Suksdorf.
N. TROXIMOIDES. — Akene fusiform, scarcely 4 lines long,
merely contracted summit, nearly filled by the seed: paleae
20 — 25, lanceolate below, very unequal, a half inch long:
involucre and peduncles as in the last. — Microseris troxhuoides,
Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 211; Bot. Gal. 1. c: Syn.Fl. 1. c.
Northern California to Oregon and Idaho.
N. CUSPID ATA. — Akene little contracted, 3 lines long,
filled by the seed : pappus of 40 — 50 unequal, very narrow,
setose paleae and scabrous bristles: leaves all radical, longer
than the flowering scapes: involucre glabrous. — Troximon
Pursh, Fl. ii. 742; Torr. k Gray, Fl. ii. 489; Gray, Syn. Fl.
ii. 437: T. marginatum, Nutt. Gen. ii. 127.
On bleak, stony hills and fertile prairies, from Dakota
and Colorado to Wisconsin and Illinois. Scarcely distin-
guishable from its far Western congeners except by the
pappus. The undulate-crisped, white-hairy margins of the
grassy leaves of this giving it an aspect so strikingly unlike
the general appearance of the other species of his genus
Troximon, were points not overlooked by that well traveled
and most keenly observant botanist, Mr. Nuttall. That he
noticed the peculiarity and was impressed by it is evinced
by his effort to invest the species with a new specific name,
marginatum, more appropriate than Pursh' s cuspidatmn,
which was given to it in reference to the acuminate rather
than cuspidate bracts, and has, therefore, no fitness, but
which must needs be retained in deference to its priority.
The name marginatum would, indeed, be equally and in the
same way, applicable to each of the three known species of
Nothocalais,
56 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
2. Some, species 0/ Euphorbia, g Anisophyllum.
E. Parishii. — Suffrntescent, prostrate, glabrous and
glaucescent: leaves thick, round-ovate, entire, veinless, 1 — 2
lines long: stipules setaceous, entire or cleft, obscurely
barbellate above: glands minute, sliort-stipitate, cupulate,
marginless, dark red: seed linear-oblong, | line long, quad-
rangular, faintly rugose.
Warm Springs on the Mohave Desert, May, 1882, S. B.
Parish, No. 1384.
This plant wears the aspect of E. polycarpa, but has the
peculiar flowers of that very dissimilar species, E. ocellata,
which is annual, with much larger, veiny leaves, and round-
oval seeds.
E. Neo-Mexicana. — Glabrous, light green or glaucescent;
a span high, erect-spreading, the few ascending branches
acutely angled: leaves linear-oblong, veinless, with a few
serrate teeth toward the truncate or retuse apex, the sides
entire and revolute: stipules setaceous, mostly bifid, ascend-
ing or erect: glands minute, green, with a narrow, white or
greenish appendage: seed light gray, indistinctly rugose,
acutely 4-angled, thrice as long as broad, the upper half
gradually tapering. — E. huBqailatera, Eagelm. Mex. Bound,
as to the plant of New Mexico. E. serpijlU folia, var. consan-
giiiuea, Boiss. DO. Prod, xv" 43, with the same limitation.
The above character is drawn from specimens of my own
collecting, on the plains of the upper Gila in western New
Mexico. The sub-erect habit, somewhat wing-angled stem
and tew branches, must separate this New Mexican plant
from the wholly prostrate, terete-stemmed E. serpyllifolia.
The specimens from California, wliicJi the authors referred
to have classed with this, must belong to the following.
Nothing like E. Neo-Mexicana has appeared from any local-
ity west of the Gila Plains.
E. SANGUINEA, Hochst. & Steud. — Glabrous, deep green,
EUPHORBIA § ANISOPHYLLUM. 57
becoming red with age, not glaucescent : a span to a foot
high; erect and simple base of stem an inch or two high,
parting abruptly into numerous almost horizontally spread-
branches: leaves obovate- to spatulate-oblong, with 3 — 4
pairs of pinnate veins, the margin serrulate above the mid-
dle: stipules setaceous, entire or somewhat lacerate, spread-
ing or deflexed : glands minute, dark red with narrow rose-
colored appendages: seed dark gray, faintly rugose-pitted,
scarcely twice as long as broad. — Boiss. 1. c. 35: E. serpylli-
folia in part, of Watson, Bot. Cal. ii. 74: E. inoequilatera,
Engelm. Mex. Bound. 1. c. as to the Calif ornian plant,
doubtless.
Described here from specimens collected by the writer, in
Napa county, Cal., October, 1882. E. serpyUifolia, besides
being wholly prostrate has veinless leaves, and is very brittle,
by the absence of fibrous tissue; but the stem and branches
of this plant are almost as tough as those of flax. It has
the erect-spreading habit, but not the foliage nor the sharply
angular branches of E. Neo-Mexicana, which latter is also
brittle like E. serpyllifolia. Our Calif ornian plant matches
well African specimens of E. sangii'mea.
E. RUSBYi. — Annual, pubescent, a span to a foot high,
branches ascending: leaves oval, nearly sessile, very ob-
lique, the major side cordate, serrate, and with a single
veinlet su^Dplementary to the mid -vein : stipules parted to the
very base into a pair of slender, erect, ciliate sette: glands
small, orbicular, cup-shaped, with a reniform, entire, rose
colored appendage: seed quadrangular, rugose-pitted, red-
dish.
Northern part of Arizona, 1883, Dr. H. H. Kusby.
E. VELUTIXA. — Velvety canescent: branches and branch-
lets numerous, prostrate, forming a close mat: leaves
crowded and almost sessile, veinless, the lower orbicular and
coarsely toothed, the floral obovate-oblong and mostly en-
5— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 5. Issued March 6. 1886
58 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
tire: stipules short, setaceous, entire, deciduous: glands
transversely oblong, dark red-purple, with a deep, flabelli-
form, crenate, white or pinkish appendage : seed light gray,
rather sharply angled and faintly rugose.
Probably Lower California, but the specimen has no
ticket.
3. New Polypetake.
Ranunculus Bolanderi. — Stem stout, erect, U — 3 feet
high, from a flesh} -fibrous, perennial root: glabrous below,
the peduncles and calyx pubescent: leaves lanceolate, the
radical on very long petioles, the cauline sheathing, margin
obscurely repand-denticulate : petals bright yellow, broadly
obovate, thrice the length of the sepals; akenes numerous,
in a globose head; beak slender, acute, somewhat incurved.
Long Yalley, Mendocino County, May, 1886, H. N. Bo-
lander, No. 4730.
This large and showy species has the general appearance
of R. Lingua of Northern Europe; but that has its akene
tipped by a stout, blunt style. The transversely elongated,
inflexed callosities which are distributed along the margin
of the leaf, together with the great size of the plant, dis-
tinguish this Coast Eange species from its allies of the Sierra
Nevada, B. Lemmoni and B. alismcefolius.
Ranunculus Ludovicianus. — Pilose-pubescent, a foot or
two high : branches ascending or depressed, stout and fistular :
leaves ternately parted, the segments broad and with some
conspicuously callous-pointed lobes or teeth: calj^x reflexed,
petals 10 — 15, a half inch long: akenes in a globose head,
cuneate-obovate, a line and a half long, thickened upwards,
marginless, tijDped with a short, slender, recurved style.
High valleys among the mountains of San Luis Obispo
County, California, and eastward to Tehachapi Pass. Col-
lected by Mrs. Curran, in 1884. A large-flowered showy
species, covering the ground in many places with its de-
pressed flowering stems and branches.
NEW POLYPETAL^. 59
Meconella denticulata. — Three to ten inches high: radi-
cal leaves entire, the laminal portion rhombic-ovate, acutish :
cauline spatulate to linear, obtuse, sharply denticulate:
petals narrowly oblong, 2 lines long: stamens 6 — 9.
Temecula Canon, north of San Luis Rey, in San Diego
County, Cal., March 27, 1885, by the writer.
The genus Meconella, with its few stamens, filiform fila-
ments, narrow stigmas and slender, spirally-twisted capsules,
together with its peculiar habit, seems more unlike Platy-
stigma a good deal than that genus is unlike Platystemon.
Hence the action of Messrs. Bentham and Hooker in reduc-
ing it to Platy stigma, appears to have been rather arbitrary.
This new species has the small flowers of the original 31.
Oregana, Nutt., but the leaves of the stem are denticulate.
Aegemone cokymbosa. — Annual or biennial, a foot or two
high, robust, simple below^ corymbosely branched above,
armed throughout with rigid, straight, spreading spines:
leaves rather crowded, 1 — 3 inches long, oval, entire or with
shallow, rounded lobes, closely sessile by a broad, some-
what clasping base: flowers white, small, numerous, in an
ample corymbose, terminal cyme: capsule oblong-ovate,
acuminate, barely an inch long, spinose, 4-valved.
Mohave Desert, June, 1884, Mrs. Curran.
A peculiar species, very leafy, none of the leaves pinnat-
ifid, the uppermost quite entire. The many, small, corym-
bose flowers mark it at sight as a very distinct, not to speak
of the uniformly quadrivalvular, taper-pointed capsules.
Dkaba Sonoe^. — Annual, leafy at ba?e, sparingly pubes-
cent with branching hairs : flowering branches sleoder, race-
mose from the base: leaves spatulate-oblong, or obovate
with cuneate base, coarsely few-toothed: pods oblong-lan-
ceolate, 2 — 3 lines long, on ascending pedicels of about a
line: petals white, minute, little exceeding the sepals, rather
deeply emarginate.
60 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Northwestern Sonora, March, 1884, collected by Mr.
Pringle, and distributed nnder the name D. cimeifolia, var.
hrevijjes, Watson; but the minute, emarginate petals, branches
racemose throughout their whole length, and pods on not
only shorter but ascending or sub-erect pedicels, mark it as
distinct from D. cimeifolia.
4H'^if^^^
^ - .^.. ^..j v^J
CALIFORNIAN COLEOPTERA. 61
A NEW SPECIES OF CAnFORNIAN COLEOPTERA.
By J. J. Rivers, University of California.
BRADYCINETUS. Horn.
Bradycinetus Hornii n. sp.
Male: Form robust, elliptical. Color ferruginous
brown, shining; bead, tips of armature, margins of
protborax and a spot near tbe outer margin of pro-
tborax eitber dusky or black. Head: Clypeus trans-
verse and feebly angnlate at tbe sides, tbe front edge
rising increasingly backward, until just
before reacbing tbe clypeal suture it
ends in a well formed tubercle on eitber
MALE. side; bebind tbe sutural line on tbe ver- head.
tex is a very prominent, stout, conical born in front of tbe base of wh'cb the
surface of tbe bead is slightly coucave; three-fourths of tbe lower jDortion of
the horn and tbe whole of tbe frontal area finely rugose. Antennae: funicle
shining, chestnut; club paler, not shining. Thorax: subtriaugalar, deepest
longitudinally through the center; noticeably wider than tbe elytra at tbt-ir
juncture, and rather wider th m their greatest breadth; seen from above the
front margin appears truncate in the middle, then trends obliquel}' forward
to the angles which are prominent; sides straight for a short distance, pos-
terior angles strongly rounded; posterior margin much extended in the mid-
dle with distinct sinaations toward tbe angles. The front area deeply con-
cave, surmounted by four well formed tubercles; two occapjang the center,
bold and projecting over tbe concavity, two others, one on either side of tbe
central two, situated near the anterior margin of tbe thorax at its exterior
angles. The arja around tbe two anterior tubsrcles very ragosely punctate;
and transversely across the disc are large distinct punctures nowhere ex-
tending to the posterior margin. A well defined margin, refiexed at the
sides, surrounds the whole. Elytra: very convex, obtusely rounded bebind,
having fourteen well defined and regularly punctured striae, the interstices
of which are fl;\tten3d and indistinctly wrinkled. The under side paler than
the upper; dense fringes of Hght chestnut hair line the reflexed portion of
tbe thorax and elytra, while the femora, tibia and tarsal joints, as well as the
lower side generally, are well supplied with rather long chestnut hair.
Length, .48 — .52 inch.
6— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 5. Issued April 23, 1886.
62 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Female: Form and color as in male. Labrnm project-
ing, rugose, covering the mandibles. Head; clypeal mar-
gin raised; a feeble tubercle just in front of the clypeal
suture, immediately behind which is a central trans-
verse ridge, undivided, slightly higher in the middle and
slightly apiculate at either end. Antenna9 less robust
than in the male. Thorax: very convex, shining; out-
line obtusely triangular; anterior margin seen from
FEMALE. above, truncate in the centre; angles j^roduced; sides
rounded; posterior margin much produced to meet the scutellum, sinuate
toward the angles which are rounded; the front discal area characterized by
a bi-lobed transverse riised line at either enl of which, outward and for-
ward, is a well formed but depressed tubercle; behind which line the disc is
dense with coarse corrugated punctures, which become scattered and plain,
nowhere reaching the posterior margin, but taking a transverse course,
barely reach the side margins, where they become less distinct. Elytra:
much the same as in the male, but the interstices of the fourteen punctate
striae a tdfle more wrinkled and much more convex. Length, smaller than
the male.
Habitat: burrowing in the ground near the city of Sonora, Tuolumne Co.,
Cal.; found also in Sacramento Co.
The name selected for this species is intended to be a slight tribute of hon"
or to Dr. Geo. H. Horn, the emiaent Coleopterist, as a slight return for
many favors.
STRIDULATINa ORGANS.
Chas. Fiichs, Esq., having obtained living specimens of
the above new species of Bradjcinetas discovered thit it pos-
sessed the power of stridulating. His researches through
coleopterological literature disclose nothing relative to the
stridulating faculty in this genus. The latest work on class-
ification, that of L3 Conte and Horn, makes no mention of
it, and as these able authors always notice such biologic
characters when aware of them, it is safe to affirm that the
observations of Mr. Fuchs are new, and that to him belongs
the credit of the discovery of these particulars.
The anatomical investigation by Mr. Fuchs of
this beetle discloses the stridulating apparatus to
be well developed, and to consist of three trans-
verse bands situated respectively upon the fourth, fifth and
CALIFORNIAN COLEOPTERA. 63
sixth dorsal segments, that on the fourth segment showing
boldest. Each of these bands is seen with a high power to
consist of cernuous bristles set in oblique rows, alternating
and interlacing Avith one another; the point of each bristle
is bent downward, forming a bow, and the band, as a whole,
gains elasticity by the pressure of each bristle thus bowed
against the next in the series. The rubbing of these three
bands against the edges of the elytra produces the stridula-
tion. The examination of species of the allied genus
Bolbocerus shows the same stridulating power, but the
outline of the bands in each case so differs as to show spe-
cific characters.
64 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LARVAL HISTORY OF PACIFIC COAST
COLEOPTERA.
By J. J. EiVERS, University of California.
The study of systematic entomology affords the student
but a dim idea of what insects are noxious and what are in-
noxious. The distinctive characters upon which the sys-
tematic entomologist builds classification need not be and
generally are not the characters of prime importance to the
economic entomologist. The names of many of the groups
of Coleoptera afford a slight generalized description which
is often misleading. In the present state of entomologic
science, where systematic is given precedence over biology,
it is dangerous to attempt to make a general statement of
the habits of a single genus and impossible to generalize
the habits of a group or family.
The most valuable contribution to the life history of
American insects which is generally accessible is Dr. Pack-
ard's " Insects Injurious to Forest and Shade Trees."* In
his introduction the author states that this work is purely
tentative and designed to elicit the results of the observa-
tions of students of economic entomology. It is 'on that ac-
count that I feel at liberty to comment upon or question
certain of Dr. Packard's statements.
On page 118, op. cit: Prionus laticollis, Drury, is noted
as injurious to the poplar. If Prionus destroys living trees
in other parts of America it has no such destructive habit
in California; in fact the charge against borers that they
destroy trees is a very old one, but by no means substanti-
ated by my own observations. P. Californicus goes through
its transformations in the roots of oaks, but these roots were
dead in every case observed by me and usually belonged to
*U. S. Entomological Commission, Bulletin 7, Washington, 1881.
6— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 5. Issued April 23, 1886.
PACIFIC COAST COLEOPTERA. 65
stumps whose trunks had been felled years before. Last
year I bred several from the decayed part of an old oaken
chopping block. In fact Dr. Packard himself throws some
doubt upon the destructive habit of P. laticollis, for in his
note he quotes the report for 1872 of Prof. S. J. Smith, En-
tomologist to the Connecticut Board of Agriculture, as fol-
lows: " I have noticed it in logs of poplar, bass-wood and
oak, and in the trunks of old, decaying apple tree.-;."
On page 137 op. c'lt. is the following: "We have found
Buprestid and Longicorn borers in a dead sweet gum tree."
The caption at the head of the page, *' Insects Injurious to
the Sweet Gum," seems designed to lead to the inference
that these borers killed the tree. But my observation is
that the larv?e of insects of the two families noted feed only
on dead wood.
Again, on the same page, Ptilinus basalis and Micracis
hirtella are listed as injurious to the California Bay. These
species are both found in Berkeley, and I have observed
their habits for the last seven years, and as a result of such
observation I am in a position to assert that they bore into
the twigs of the tree mentioned only when dead, dried and
decaying.
On page 71, op. cU., we find a figure of Oncideres cingu-
latus in the act of girdling a hickory twig. In connection
with this insect we meet with one of the most interesting
and remarkable points in the whole range of insect biology.
For, knowing that its larva will have to feed upon dead and
sapless wood, this. beetle, at tho time of depositing its egg
in the livinsj and easil}- penetrated green wood, has instinct
or forethought to girdle the twig, and thus assure the future
larva the conditions necessarj' for its metamorphosis.
The question, "Are Curculio larva lignivorous ?" has
been partially discussed in Bulletin of the Brooklyn Ento-
mological Society, vol. vii, page 150, by Warren Knaus,
and in Entomologica Americana, vol. i, page 18, by W. H.
Hai'rington. The question was brought up by the finding of
66 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Wollastonia quercicola in cottonwood logs in an advanced
stage of decay. The Curculios are a group of insects in
systematic value the equivalent to a sub- order, and known as
the Ehynchophora (Latreille), which bear certain intimate
resemblances to one another in the perfect and final forms,
while in their larval stage they may and certainly do differ
in many particulars of habit. W. quercicola belongs to the
Calandridse, a family abounding in species whose habit in
the larval stage is preeminently to feed on dry food. The
metamorphoses of the Ehynchophora (Latr.) are not at all
well known, but I have bred the following, belonging to this
sub-order, and have found them to be lignivorous in the
larval stage :
PLA.TYRHINUS LA.TIROSTRIS Fabr. — Decaying oak stumps
highly charged with mycelia of a fungus.
ScoLYTtJS DESTRUCTOR Oliv. — Dead sapwood of elm.
Mesitis Tardii Woll. — Decaying beech.
MoNARTHRUM HuTTONi Woll. — Yarious hard woods.
Hylesinus crenatus Fabr. — Dying ash.
Anthribus albinus Lin. — Old wood.
Brachytarsus scabrosus Fabr. — Elm bark.
Kyncolus — several species. — Bark of trees.
The foregoing are old world species of Curculios that do
not affect a herbaceous diet; and the three following species
are of similar habits.
SCOLYTID^.
MoNARTHRUM SCUTELLARE Lec. — Bark of dead Quercus
agrifolia.
MoNARTHRUM DENTIGE RUM Lec. — Bark of dead Quercus
agrifolia.
PACIFIC COAST COLEOPTERA. 67
MrcRACis HiRTELLi Lac— Dead branches of California
laurel, Umbellularia Californica.
The Brenthidae are well known to have the general habit
of perforating trees and of depositing a single egg in each
hole thus made, by this means providing that the larva shall
have a full supply of the wood upon which it feeds.
The question, then, should not be: are Curculio larvae
lignivorous? but rather, how many have thab habit? In a
great group like this of Curculios, comprising many forms
varying greatly from one another, one can easily appreciate
the fact that we meet with many different tastes and habits.
Some are known to feed upon all kinds of grain in store;
one finds its food in rice, another in barley, and others in
maize. Many species of Balanius undergo their changes
in nuts, the larva feeding upon the kernels; another group
is to be found in Cynips galls; and one species, geographi-
cally distributed from San Diego to Alaska, is to be found
beneath seaweed upon the shores. Enough has been in-
stanced to show clearly that we can draw no inference from
the fact that two insects are found in the same natural
group, that for that reason their habits are similar; and it
is evident that a classification by habits would be of little
aid to the systematic entomologist.
CHRYSOMELID^.
DiABROTiCA 12-punctata Oliv. — This is a most destruc-
tive insect to our peach orchards, and is not as yet sufii-
ciently studied. If it resembles in habit the eastern species
of the genus, and feeds in the larva stage upon the roots of
cereals, it may be possible torrid ourselves in some degree
of this pest by some rotation of crops. In the meanwhile
sprays and washes are beyond a doubt not only useless, but
in most cases a positive injury. We shall have to study
further before speaking positively of the larval history of
this insect pest.
^8 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The Ptinidse is a family of limited extent, whose habits
seem to be very similar wherever members of it are found.
In California I have observed the following :
MELANDRYID^.
DiRCiEA RiVERSii Lec. — Larva feeds in decaying trees of
Madrona, Arbutus Menziesii. In trees in position the insect
is found in the primary forks of the roots, and in prostrate
logs among the more seasoned fibers of the wood.
PTINID^.
Ptinus interruptus Lec. — Black fungus of the laurel,
Umbellularia Californica.
Ptinus quadrimaculatus Melsh. — Decayed Ceanothus
thyrsiflorus.
Hedobia granosa Lec. — Dead branches of Umbellularia
Californica.
Hadobregmus gibbicollis Lec. — Decaying wood of Myrica
Californica and dead willow.
Vrilletta convexa. Lec. — Dead Quercus agrifolia.
Ptilinus basalis Lec. — Dead twigs of Umbellularia Cali-
fornica.
SiNOXYLON DECEIVE Lec. — Any dead tree or unpainted
wood, very partial to wine casks and oak barrels. Tlie dep-
redations are done by the beetle while boring for a suitable
place to deposit its eggs. Its burrow is straight across the
grain of the wood, reaching the interior of the cask, causing
waste and deterioration of the contents. Hot solution of
alum applied to the outside of the casks will prevent bor-
ing.
PoLYCAON Stoutii Lec.— Dead and dried willow.
PACIFIC COAST COLEOPTERA. 69
PoLYCAON CONFERTUS Lec. — Found boring into a slab of
chestnut oak that had been deposited for years in the mu-
seum of the University of California; also bred from the
stem of dead apricot trees that had been grafted on a peach
root.
There appears strong evidence that these trees were not
destroyed by the borer, but through the influence of the
'* black knot" on the roots, they being diseased with knobs
as large as a man's fist on every root; while all the trees
killed had the root diseased, only a portion was infested
with the larva of this beetle.
Many similar observations made by myself and others go
to show that in the larval stage this beetle is xylophagous.
On the other hand, there is indisputable proof that this
larva infests living trees by entering the twigs at the axils of
the leaves.
Lyctus striatus Melsh. — Devastates furniture made of
California laurel, Umbellularia Calif ornica. Dr. Packard,
op. cif. p. 75, quotes Dr. LeConte as saying that it affects
the trunks and branches of Carya tomentosa. This is not
borne out by my observations, as I am well satisfied that
the larva lives in dead and dry wood.
SCARAB^ID^.
PoLYPHYLLA DECEMLINEATUS, Say. Larva that produced
this species was found in the earth from one to two feet
from the surface, among root fibres of a coarse grass and
roots of a Californian Laurel, Umbellularia Californica.
The earth was sandy loam situated upon the banks of a
river, and which is overflowed during the rainy season of
the year.
Odontaeus obesus, Lec. This has a light chestnut larva
with tufts of bristles surrounding each spiracle. Mandib-
ular and clypeal portions well developed, redder in color and
70 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
thicker in texture than any other part. The legs are prom-
inent. Feed upon rootlets of Umbellularia Californica. It
is much infested with a small, pale-colored mite which is
evidently parasitic on the species.
LUCANID^.
Platycerus Oregonensis (Westwood) — Dead trees of
Photinia arbutifolia, Umbellularia Californica, Quercus ag-
rifolia and Eucalyptus.
Platycerus Agassii Lee. — Decayed trees of Arbutus
Menziesii; also in wood too much decayed to be identified.
Sinodendron rugosum Mann. — Decayed oak, Quercus ag-
rifolia.
The 522 North American species of Cerambycidse are all
borers; the insect deposits its egg in a hole perforated in
the wood, and the larva penetrates further and further ac-
cording to a rhythmic order peculiar to the species until its
metamorphoses are completed. The following is a list of
the Calif ornian species whose habits I have observed:
CERAMBYCID^.
Ergates spiculatus Lee. — Eotting coniferous trees. Bred
from Sequoia sempervirens, Pinus insignis, Abies Doug-
lasii, etc.
Prionus Califorjticus Mots. — Bred from rotten damp
roots of Quercus agrifolia.
AsEMUM NITIDUM Lec. — Decayed Pinus insignis.
Hylotrupes ligneus Fab. — Dead trees of Libocedras
decurrens.
Elaphidion imbelle Lec. — Bred from decayed oak near
San Diego, Cal., by F. E. Blaisdell.
PACIFIC COAST COLEOPTERA. 71
HoLOPLEURA Helena Lee. — Dead twigs of Umbellularia
Californica.
Rosalia funebris Mots. — Decaying Umbellularia Cali-
fornica among the mycelia of some fungus.
Xylotrichus nauticus Mann. — Dead sapwood of the oak,
Quercus agrifolia.
Xylotrichus planifrons Lee. — Dead branches of willow.
Necydalis l^vicollis Lee. — Decayed oak, Quercus agri-
folia, and in dead Eucalyptus globulus.
Leptura l^ta Lee. — Dead Quercus agrifolia and Quer-
cus sp.
Leptura crassipes Lee. — Decayed wood of Umbellularia
Californica.
Synaphoeta Guexi Lee. — Dead limbs of California buck-
eye, iEsculus Californica.
PoGONOCHERUS CRINITUS Lec. — Dead branches of Quercus
agrifolia.
TROGOSITID^.
Trogosita yirescens Fab. — Dead Libocedrus and several
kinds of oak.
CLERID^.
Thanasimus eximius Mann. — Dead twigs of Umbellularia
Californica.
Among many entomological enigmas of long standing is
one that is about being solved. From time to time in many
parts of the United States, large luminous larvae of some
Coleopteron have been found, and it has been conjectured
that these larvae belong to some of the Elateridae, the gen-
eral supposition being that they were larvae of the genus
Melanactes. Every attempt at breeding them resulted in
72 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
failure because their natural food was unknown. I have
recently found what their food consists of. Before making
this discovery I had arrived, from a careful study of the
anatomy of the mouth parts of these larvae, at the conclu-
sion now confirmed that they are carnivorous in habit.
Their food consists of the vegetable feeding Myriapoda,
particularly of Julus and Polydesmus with a preference for
Julus, because the large area of the rings of this genus af-
fords space for the larva to penetrate the interior of the
Myriapod. Its manner of feeding is to seize the hinder
part of the Julus, and perforate a segment, reaching the
soft inner parts, which it devours at leisure, creeping
through many segments without disjointing them, and re-
maining inside these rings for days at a time, till one can
see little else but the slowly wriggling form of the dying
Julus.
I have a full fed larva, which I hope will go through its
metamorphosis, and solve the problem. And now its mode
of life is made known, other persons who are equally anx-
ious with myself that nature shall yield this long kept
secret, can apply themselves with renewed energy to the
task of discovering the identity of the perfect insect.
NOTES ON SATURN. • 73
NOTES ON SATURN.
By Prof. George Davidson, A. M., Ph. D.
After midnight of Friday, tbe 13tli November, 1885, the
atmosphere was unusually steady; sky clear; no wind; at-
mosphere saturated with aqueous vapor; heavy dew falling.
The satellites of Saturn were plainly visible with a moder-
ate power to the equatorial of 6.4 inches objective. The
planet was examined for nearly two hours with different
powers, the best effects being obtained with powers of 300
to 350 diameters; and the summary of the matters of inter-
est is as follows :
The Encke division was traced for 120° about each end
of the major axis, leaving only 120° not seen. The division
was faint but it was there, a little outside the middle of the
ring A.
In the ring B the inner part presented such an appear-
ance in its delicate shading as would arise from a rapid hor-
izontal rotary motion being given to a disc of irregularly
distributed and yielding matter. I could detect no atmos-
pheric unsteadiness that would give rise to this phenomenon.
The dusky ring presented equally distinct ans}>3; on for-
mer occasions I had been satisfied that they were sometimes
of different brightness, and had endeavored to find some
law for this variation. The dusky ring was well defined at
the ansEe and across the body of the planet, but I was con-
vinced that the limb of the planet was visible through the
dusky ring, very nearly, if not quite up to the inner edge of
ring B.
The shadow of the j)lanet was cast upon the preceding
side, and where it reached the outer edge of the ring B^ it
was recurved farther from the planet as if the outer edge of
B had a round moulding above the general level of the
plane.
6— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. H. 5. Issued April 23, 1886.
74 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The markings of the phinet were quite distinct. The
darker color of the pole was gradually toned down until it
met the second moderately faint belt south of the equator.
The second belt was quite dark but appeared to have a more
marked darkness on the following side of the central line,
where it should have been brighter on account of the sun-
light. Then came the bright equatorial belt without mark-
ings and north of it a narrow dark band about half as broad
as the trace of the dusky ring across the planet, with a nar-
row dark band about half as broad as the trace of the dusky
ring across the planet, with a narrow lighter space between
it and the edge of the dusky ring.
January 8, 1886. The atmosphere was unsteady, but at
quiet moments I saw the Encke division by using a power
of 250 diameters. Observations made with the Clark Equa-
torial of 6.4 inches.
January 25, 1886. The atmosphere was wonderfully
steady. I saw the dusky ring of Saturn with powers as low
as 150 diameters, and the equatorial beltings were beauti-
fully sharp. The shape of the shadow on the outer part of
the B ring was apparently not so recurved as heretofore. I
saw the limbs of the planet through the dusky ring to the
inner edge of ring B. I was able to follow the grayish in-
ner edge of the B ring across the body of the planet and in
contrast with the dusky ring below it. The Encke division
at the preceding part of the ellipse was clearly outside the
middle of A; at the following part it was barely outside the
middle of A; no difference of breadth of the Cassini divis-
ion could be distinguislied at either extreme.
February 14, 1886. Atmosphere steady. Carried powers
to 450 diameters. The Encke division clearly exhibited;
on the preceding side it is outside the middle oi A, on the
following side it is barely inside the middle of ^ ; I carry
it well down to the narrow part of the ellipse. The dusky
ring is well seen and it seems that the inner edge extends
more than half way from B to the planet. The limbs of the
NOTES ON SATURN. 75
planet are seen tliroiigh the dusky ring and the inner edge
of B. I cannot determine any difference of brightness be-
tween the preceding and following parts of the dusky ring.
I have watched carefully and repeatedly a minute — ex-
cessively minute — and wdiite protuberance on each side of
the planet apparently off the broad bright equatorial belt,
but really at the points where the faintly dark belt nearest
the dusky ring disappears at either limb. This would seem
to indicate that this faint dark belt is raised above the gen-
eral surface of the splieroid.
March 31. 1886. To this date I have not been able, on
account of atmospheric conditions, to test the last observa-
tions of Februarv 14.
LIBRARY,
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 77
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
By W, A. Glassford, 2d Lient. Signal Corps, U. S. A. Assistant.
(With Four Plates.)
A short study of the charted weather reports of the Pa-
cific Coast, reveals certain types lasting for a considerable
period which admit of classification. East of the Rocky
Mountains, however, no such characteristics are present;
the storms or cyclonic areas, as well as the anti-cyclonic or
areas of high pressure generally originate in the Gulf of
Mexico, the Eocky Mountain slopes, or in British America,
and move in succession over a curved path almost invariably
to the eastward at a uniform rate, and with uniform charac-
teristics. They disappear as regularly near Nova Scotia.
It is very seldom, if ever, that perfect paths of low pressure
areas are traced from the Pacific Coast across the mountain
plateaus and ranges, although some few cases have been
charted on the storm track maps; but even these are not so
uniform as in the East, for they frequently tarry for quite
a period, clinging to some valley or plateau. On this coast
a noticeable feature is the difference in the storm frequency
between the northern and southern boundary lines of the
United States. Areas of low pressure of any intensity are
of infrequent occurrence in southern California, but going
north become more frequent as Vancouver Island is ap-
proached. From a search of the Weather Eeviews for three
years, it is found that areas of low pressure entering the
Pacific Coast states from the ocean during that period num-
ber 90; those north of the 45th parallel are 54; between 45^^
and 40°, 25; between 40° and 35°, 10; below the 35th par-
allel, 1. Another peculiarity of the areas of high and low
pressure here is their arrangement in recurring and symmet-
rical types; recurring, because there is a tendency to assume
the same barometric condition on successive days; symmet-
7— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. H. 5. Issued Aug. 31, 1886.
78 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
rical, because the recurrence as denoted by the barometer
takes about the same area, shape and intensity.
Except the November, and the greater storm of January
last, and in fact the centers of these were the whole time
at sea, there has been no distinct cyclonic area, such as ap-
pear in the Eastern States, central over California during
the past season. Those who examine the Signal Service
synoptic charts with its reports may have observed " High"
and *' Low" designated, but these are often such only by con-
trast; the areas where the group of barometric readings, re-
duced to sea level, are the greatest or the least that appear
on the map, being so named.
Another observation may be noted. When severe and
stormy weather prevails on this Coast, and especially in
California, almost invariably the press dispatches announce
from the East the prevalence of cold waves, snow blockades,
tornadoes, etc. If complaint be made at any time that the
climate of the Pacific Coast is in no way superior to the or-
dinary Eastern weather, attention may be drawn to the fact
that at that time cold waves, snows, etc., prevail over the
East; if here the winds are high they are balanced by tor-
nadoes or hurricanes there; if washouts delay travel on this
slope, floods in the streams of the great Eastern valleys and
seaboard do vastly more damage; if frosts nip the buds in
our California citrus belt, in Florida oranges are frozen.
Such is the action of storms on this Coast relative to
the maigin of the great Arctic high pressure ridges which
surge down from British Columbia. These coincidences
show a common sensitiveness to distant weather conditions.
Contrary to the usual rule in the states east of the Rocky
Mountains, we have observed here a recurrence and per-
sistence of fine clear weather, or of rainy days for quite a
period. The interruptions are slight, of short duration,
and the prevalent types are unmistakable. The synoptic
charts during these periods show a general resemblance.
For instance, during February last scarcely any rain fell.
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 79
In April we had almost constant rain from the 1st to the
17th, then followed suddenly clear weather to the month's
end and after. The fact that the change from one type to
another is so very sudden is what causes the difficulty on
this coast in forecasting the weather. These phenomena,
as aids to forecasting, I call weather types.
This study is only possible by reference to the reports of
the observations taken three times a day simultaneously at
4 a. m., noon and 7 p. m., Pacific time, telegraphed to San
Francisco and charted by entry on outline maps. Isobars
and isotherms are drawn showing the belts or areas of like
pressure and temperature, and symbols are added marking
stations where rain has fallen or cloudiness exists. It is
seen that map after map, day after day is almost identical.
A persistence of some one barometric characteristic covers
the same region. Applying the principle of composite pho-
tography, taking a transparent outline map of the same
scale as the weather map and drawing lines enclosing like
areas, and continuing this process on the same transparent
map, we have represented a great number of like areas su-
perimposed upon each other.
We thus find the high or low barometer regions to cor-
respond with certain characteristic conditions of cloudiness
and rain, which remain stationary and hover over the same
locality during the continuance of the high or low. For
instance, grouping all the charts that have high pressure
over Oregon, and the low over southeastern California, it is
noticed that remarkably fine warm weather with northwest-
erly winds continues for a succession of days, while this con-
dition lasts. When the barometer changes, it does so sud-
denly, and the weather changes with equal rapidity. The
greater the number of these like features of barometer and
weather found, the greater, of course, is the frequency of
the type. Illustrating in the case of February last, it is
found that a persistent high overlay the district embracing
Oregon with parts of Nevada and Idaho. Plate II illus-
80 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
trates the superimposing of a series of daily charts showing
this feature.
Indeed, if only the observations of a single station are
studied, taking a specific instance of the recurrence of a
persistent weather type, the list of days in which rain of
any consequence fell on successive days in San Francisco
during the last rainy season, shows six such periods lasting
from six to fifteen days each. These periods of the rainy
season, and the contrasting conditions of rain absence inter-
vening, are the special object of this inquiry.
I now come to determining and naming these w^eather
types, commencing with the rainy season of 1885-6. On
November 1st, the first interruption of the dry season of
1885, disregarding some slight rains occurring prior to this
date, began at the time when the high, which had moved
inward from the coast with the advance of the season and
finally hung stationary over the eastern slope of the Cascade
Range, moved further eastward before the low area advanc-
ing on the Washington Territory coast from sea. This
low area spread south and brought the rainy season for San
Francisco and this portion of the State. This type I call
the
NORTH PACIFIC CYCLONIC.
It prevailed from November 1st to 10th, and from Janu-
ary 11th to 14th, and is distinguished by a low barometer
area of considerable depth over and to the westward of Or-
egon and Washington Territory, which, striking the mount-
ain range and high pressure to the eastward, cannot break
over the barrier, and is held there with fluctuating depth
for some time.
The high, which always exists somewhere in the margin
of the low, continues central in the district north of Salt
Lake. During the prevalence of this type, southerly gales
occur from Cape Mendocino to Vancouver Island. Rain
prevails and frequently becomes heavy over Oregon, Wash-
ington Territory, in California south to San Luis Obispo
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 81
and in the San Joaquin Valley. The temperature through-
out the coast is about normal. It is only when a subsidiary
low is developed in southeastern California, locally called a
*' Sonora Storm," that rain spreads over the southern part
of the State, being generally of short duration. See Plate
III as an example of the conditions existing during this type.
INTERIOR ANTI-CYCLONIC.
This second type closely resembles the preceding in
that the interior high is well marked, but differs in that
the low upon the coast is less in depth. This type pre-
vailed from November 11th to 15th; November 25th to
December 6th; December 14tli to 26th; January 27th to
February 12th. It is characterized by a high barometer
(about 30.30 inches) over Utah, Nevada and Southern
Idaho. The accompanying low barometer on the north-
ern coast drops down frequently to 29.70, and is cen-
tral west of Washington Territory. These lows appear to
beat against the high, the low area often dropping down for
a short time nearly to Cape Mendocino. At other times
they push the high southerly over Arizona and pass east-
ward beyond our boundary. Again when the surge of high
pressure is very great over Idaho, a low often pushes upon
it from the southwest coast of California, at which time rain
may occur in light showers on the southern coast. The
rainfall, except as just mentioned, never passes south of
San Francisco, and is generally limited to light showers in
Oregon and Washington Territory. Gales are very strong
from the southeasterly at Cape Mendocino and at the mouth
of the Columbia River, north x)f which they come more from
the south. The temperature is usually high, and at times,
of steep gradients, from Nevada southward; near Los An-
geles, the warm " Santa Anna" winds may occur. Plate III
serves to illustrate this type if the pressure over Idaho and
Nevada is considered about 30.30, and the low on the North
Pacific Coast about 29.80 inches.
82 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
NORTH PACIFIC ANTI-CYOLONIC TYPE.
This type is very frequent, but sometimes of short dura-
tion. It prevailed from November lOtb to 15th; December
7th to 13th; December 31st to January 10th; February
12th to 21st; February 23d to 25th; March 10th to 12th;
March 23d to 28th; April 2d to 5th, and April 17th to 29th.
AYhile this type is prevalent the high, as is implied by its
name, rests over Oregon and Washington Territory, with a
permanent low over southern California. It is attended
with clear weather, only interrupted by an occasional
shower near Vancouver Island. During its prevalence in
its perfection and greatest intensity, and while the isobars
are perpendicular to the coast line, is the time when the
dreaded dessicating *' north wind" prevails in the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin valleys. The temperature is high
during the day, especially after several days' continuance
of the type, while at night frosts often occur. The winds
are usually light and variable on the coast of Washington
Territory and Oregon, but on the coast of California high
with southerly gales. If in the spring during the preva-
lence of this type high winds and sandstorms occur in
southern California, they are almost sure to be followed by
rain. The proverb that a succession of frosts is liable to
be followed by rainy weather, obtains warrant from the fact
that the breaking up of this type is usually foretold by
frosts and most certainly followed by rain. The occurrence
of this type on the first ten days of January, 1886, appears to
bear a certain relation to the great surges of high pressure
from the Arctic regions moving well westward over British
Columbia. The isobar of 30.3 to 30.5 inches enclosed the
area. The weather on the coast was unusually cool and
clear; frosts extended into southern California. During
this period remarkably cold weather was prevailing in
the Eastern States. These surges of high pressure in their
movement covering almost the width of the continent dur-
ing the first ten days of January, caused the development
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 83
of intense cyclonic areas originating in the Gulf of Mexico
or Texas and moving northeastward along the Atlantic
coast, accompanied by the most severe cold Avave of the
year east of the Eocky Mountains. Plate II illustrates this
type.
THE GENERAL CYCLONIC TYPE.
This type is characterized by the most severe storms that
occur on this coast. The rain area overspreads all sections,
falling in torrents, and gales of the greatest violence with
frequent thunderstorms occur, rivers overflow, and wash-
outs impede travel. The barometer drops very low and
suffers rapid fluctuations, and remarkable gradients occur
between the coast and interior. Simultaneous with this type
is a series of exceedingly high pressure waves over the Eocky
Mountain plateau and states to the eastward, accompanied
by severe storms and intense cold. During the last sea-
son there were only two occurrences of this type, viz., from
November 15th to 25th, and January 15th to 26th. The
general feature is a cyclonic disturbance on the Pacific
coast line, which, apparently unable to cross over the Sierra
Nevada, seems to spread out over the entire length of our
region, until it gradually wastes away or finds escape be-
yond the limits of our field of observation. The occurrence
of this type in January last is especially worthy of careful
review. On the 15th another surge of high pressure fol-
lowed the north Pacific anti-cyclonic of the first ten
days of January, extending from British xlmerica over the
Kocky Mountain region. On this coast was developed a
series of storms among the severest in the history of the
country. The temperature ^as very low in Montana, and
spread its influence over portions of this coast, causing
frost, snow, ice and unusual cold in portions of the Pa-
cific States. Eains were heavy and almost continuous,
gales frequent and severe, needing no description to those
who were here at the time. The storm, as represented by
84 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
the barometer, was a series of most extraordinary fluctua-
tious; tlie disturbance would suddenly appear at any given
station, and after a few hours be scarcely perceptible, only
again to appear at this or some other station. A diagram
showing these fluctuations is interesting. The center ap-
peared for a time to be over the interior valleys of Califor-
nia, and not great in depth, and it was only upon consulting
ship reports that it was found that the eye of the storm was
far to the westward. This center appeared first upon the
coast about 3 a. m., January 20th, off Point Conception,
where the roughest weather was experienced. A few hours
later it was reported off the mouth of the Columbia Kiver.
From 5 to 8 A. M., about 175 miles southwest of San Fran-
cisco, the Zealandia was in a southeast and southwest hurri-
cane, with the glass at 29.23. The barometer, about the
same time at San Francisco, was 29.31 inches; at 8 a. m., at
Cape Mendocino, the barometer fell to 29.15, with the wind
a hundred miles per hour from the S.E.; at noon it was
29.06, with the wind from the southeast and blowing with hur-
ricane violence, carrying away the anemometer, after which
accurate observations were interrupted for a few hours.
At the same time the wind was southwesterly at San Fran-
cisco, blowing 42 miles, but at Point Lobos, the south head
of Golden Gate, six miles away, it was 96 miles an hour.
The cyclone was off the coast of Oregon at 7 A. M., as shown
by a pressure of 29.17; but by the following morning, the
21st, at 4 A. M., the pressure had risen, and the cyclone had
completely vanished from the charts, and by 12 M. the
isobar of 30.20 passed from Washington Territory through
Oregon down to the center of California and out near San
Luis Obispo. But one other isobar (30.10), drawing isobars
for every tenth of an inch, appeared on the chart, and this
enclosed northwest Washington Territory. The next morn-
ing (22d) the cyclone reappeared at the mouth of the Co-
lumbia River, here also carrying away the anemometer. It
again subsided, and burst in once more the same day at the
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 85
Straits of Juan de Fuca, the glass going down to 29.00.
Again almost disappearing, it came in upon the AVashing-
ton Territory coast the 26th, the barometer falling this time
to 29.15. On the 27th it was not to be seen, and if it passed
eastward it did so far bej'^ond the northern boundary.
During this time severe washouts occurred in Southern
California, and the telegraph lines were everywhere pros-
trated. 1 find this type is not a frequent one, and comes
only in such intensity as described at long intervals. The
great storms of 1875 and 1879 are tlie only ones that can be
ranked with this one. See Plate lY.
The next distinct type is the
SOUTH PACIFIC ANTI-CYCLONIC,
which appears as a moderate high along the southwestern
California coast. It is peculiar on account of the rains
which accompany it, being one of those types, which bring
out many inquiries from those having and observing barom-
eters, asking the question, how it is that we have rain
with so high a barometer. It creates isobars somewhat
perpendicular to the coast, bringing in the rain-bearing,
southerly winds at San Francisco. It is noteworthy that
any type exhibiting isobars perpendicular to the coast line
is almost sure to bring rain, while if the isobars are parallel
to the coast, fair weather follows. This type was in exis-
tence from March 31st to April 2d, and from April 7th to
17tli. During its prevalence a faint low may exist in the
north Pacific. Rain occurs in the interior California valleys
and northward, also in the vicinity of Los Angeles. Should
the general pressure fall considerably below the normal,
but with the relatively high barometer continuing in the
same region, gales with thunder and hail storms are fre-
quent in southern California. TJie winds are not strong
north of San Francisco, except when the barometer becomes
very low, and such cases are few. This type disappears by
the movement of the high along the coast into Oregon, and
86 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ceases very suddenly. The temperature is unusually low»
See Plate V.
SUB-NOEMAL TYPE.
This type is marked by a succession of days when the
pressure is moderately low, and below the normal over a
large area. The isobars are broken up, are wavy or enclose
several subsidiary low areas, with an absence of any de-
cided gradients. This type prevailed from February 26th
to March 4th, and from April 5th to 7th. Kain at intervals
occurs, frequent local storms, and thunder storms are re-
ported. Occasionally a gale, but local in character, does
coQsiderable damage. The winds are variable, and the
weather cool and cloudy.
It might be well to add that the changes occurring in the
cyclonic types follow a general principle that a disturbed
equipoise recovers itself in proportion to the intensity and
rate which the disturbance has originally developed. The
greater the high, the greater the depth of the low which
follows, and if the change is sudden, the appearance of the
opposite condition is sudden. In meteorology, as in me-
chanics, these vibrations of the disturbed equipoise are lia-
ble to continue for some time in waves of gradually decreas-
ing length before coming to rest; and the observance of this
principle enables us to say that a disturbance is not defi-
nitely passed although the synoptic charts give but little in-
dication of its recurrence.
The dry season demands only the briefest consideration,,
having but one general characteristic — high pressure over
the sea and low over the land. The tjqoe of the dry season
has about the sameness of the weather which accompanies
it. The high is greatest and most persistent over the ocean
and north Pacific coast, and lowest from Arizona to Nevada
including eastern California. Almost the only peculiar fea-
ture of the type is the occasional low over the central val-
leys of California.
WEATHER TYPES ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 87
Bain is almost entirely absent when this type becomes
perfectly established, and only occurs in light showers in
Oregon and Washington Territory, when the high happens
to drop down well on the California coast, creating a condi-
tion similar to that of the " South Pacific Anti-Cyclonic
Type," already described. Another feature of the dry sea-
son is the development of considerable intensity of the high
in Oregon, the pressure being at the same time very low in
southern California, creating the northerly winds in the
Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.
The boundary between the wet and dry season would, I
believe, be as definite as the sun's march north or south if
not for these disturbing weather types, which bring into
effect conditions overriding the gradual change of tempera-
ture. It is well established that the temperature of the Pa-
cific Ocean differs very little anywhere on the coast, and the
monthly variation is so slight that it may be disregarded.
We can in a general discussion say that the temperature of
the ocean washing our shores is about constant. It is
wholly different over the land, and the difference increases
in proportion to the distance from the sea. In the winter,
the prevalent type is such as to drive the ocean winds over
a country where the temperature is cooler than themselves^
and where the condensing conditions are strong enough to
well deplete them of moisture; hence rain results upon the
western slopes and little remains for the Rocky Mountain
country. During the summer, on the contrary, the winds
from the Pacific Ocean passing at once over the drying
country, do not precipitate their moisture at all till the
Rocky Mountain summits condense them. Thus the rainy
season is transferred from this coast to these higher regions.
The change of one season to another is best illustrated by
projecting the curve of surface temperature of the Pacific
Ocean, with the mean daily temperature of a place in prox-
imity to it, for instance, San Francisco. As soon as the air
temperature curve permanently crosses the former, the
00 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
change of season takes place. A. specific case of this
principle is discussed and well illustrated in the last Bul-
letin of this Academy, by Prof. Davidson, in his paper on
the air and water temperature at the Golden Gate.
Note — The plates show in figures for each station: 1st, temperature; 2cl,
barometer; 3d, wind velocity and, when reported, the minimum velocity
since the last report, in brackets; 4th, the amount of rainfall. The wind
direction is shown by an arrow flying with the wind. The state of the
weather at the time of the report is shown thus: cloudy or fine day, circles
fully or one-half shaded; rain by L. K. or H. R., as it is heavy or light; S
for snow.
TRANSITS OF THE II AND III SATELLITES OF JUPITER. 89
TRANSITS OF THE n AND IH SATELLITES OF JUPITER.
By George Davidson, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
[Davidson Observatory, March 20th, 1886.]
About three o'clock in the morning of Sunday the 21st, I
watched the transits of the II and III Satellites of Jupiter
and their shadows. The shadow of the II Satellite was on
the northern edge of the northern dark belt, but it was in-
tensely black; the image of the satellite was probably a
diameter from the shadow but was in the edge of the white
part of the planet. This image was more than white; it was
a hrilliant ivliite. The image of the III Satellite was yet three
or four diameters outside the planet's limb; a few minutes
before its first contact therewith the black image of the shadow
of II was not so conspicuous as it had been, for I picked out
the bright image of the satellite before seeing the dark
shadow. I was using a power of 150 diameters.
About the time of the first contact of III, the sky became
slightly hazy and I did not get the time of the contacts of
the shadow with the planet's limb. After the shadow of
the III Satellite was on the disc of the planet, and just after
the first contact of III as a white image, the image of II
became too faint to be certain of my seeing it.
The haziness or light fog increased, and the planet was in-
visible to the naked eye, but occasional thin openings through
the mist enabled me to see III and its shadow after both were
certainly on the disc of the planet. For seven minutes after,
the white' image was brighter than the body of the planet; both
the shadow and image were transiting the disc where it was
moderately clear of dark lines; ^^et the shadow was travers-
ing the northern edge of a faint one. In fifteen minutes
after the second contact, I noted the shadow of III, but
could not see the image of the satellite. At twenty-three
7— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 5. Issued Aug. 31, 1886.
90 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
minutes after second contact, the shadow was clear and
black, but I could make out no image of the satellite.
When the II shadow was half way across the planet, I
could not see the image of II at the clearest intervals.
At fortj-three minutes after the second contact of III,
the shadow looked elongated; a minute later, I saw a small
darkish speck where the image of III should be, and the
shadow of this speck immediately suggested a balloon and
its car. In place of the white image of the satellite, there
was a small darkish speck, and as the seeing was difficult, I
could not detect any definite form to it. This appearance
continued until the satellite was nearly half way across the
planet's disc. The planet was getting low down, day had
broken, and the haze was increasing, so further observa-
tions were discontinued.
Several sketches were made of the planet during the
transits.
THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MARCH 5, 1886. 91
THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECUPSE OF MARCH 5, 1886.
By George Davidson, U. S. Coast aud Geodetic Survey.
[Davidson Observatory.]
This eclipse was only partial at San Francisco, where
four digits of the sun's diameter were obscured on the south-
east border.
At San Francisco the clouds broke away about an hour
before the time of first contact, and the atmosphere became
moderately steady at that epoch. The sun's disc was
marked by three large groups of spots north of the equator,
and the details of these sj)ots became very sharply defined.
The bright facuhe about the western group were plainly
traced, and the rice-grain structure of the whole surface
was easily made out.
The observations were made with the full aperture of the
Clark Equatorial of 6.4 inches diameter, using a Herschel
solar prism, and a power of about 170 diameters.
The first contact took place at Ih. 16m. 58.5s. local sider-
ial time, and the second contact at 3h. 30m. 21.0s. The
second contact is a good observation, because it is easy to
watch the narrowing, dark segment of the moon, and also
because the observer can almost proportion the rate of the
rapid shortening of the two cusps. This observation is with-
in a fraction of a second. The observation of the first con-
tact is always more or less in doubt, because the dark limb
of the moon must have made its impression upon the limb
of the sun before the eye defects its approach; and this dark
segment is relatively long and narrow. When the border
of the sun is unsteady from the disturbance in the atmos-
phere, the difficulty is still further enhanced. Neverthe-
less, I consider the observation within a second or two.
During the progress of the eclipse the images of the sun
7— Bull, Cal. Acad. Sci. n, 5. Issued Aug. 31, 1886.
92 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
and moon were projected upon a white background, and
exhibited as in a camera obscura.
The geographical position of tlie Davidson Observatory
is latitude, 37° AT 24.75'' north; longitude, 122° 25' 40.54",
or 8h. 09m. 42,70s. west of Greenwich.
The phenomenon was also observed with three-inch and
smaller telescopes, by Messrs. Lawson, Morse, Welker and
Hill, of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY.
1886.
President,
GEORGE DAVIDSON.
ist Vice-President,
JUSTIN P. MOORE.
2d Vice-President,
JOHN T. EVANS.
Corresponding Secretary,
SAMUEL B. CHRISTY.
Recording Secretary,
CHARLES G. YALE.
Treasurer,
ELISHA BROOKS.
Librarian,
CARLOS TROYER.
Director of the Museum,
WILLIAM G. W. HARFORD.
Trustees,
GEORGE E. GRAY, THOMAS P. MADDEN,
CHARLES F. CROCKER, RALPH C. HARRISON,
LEWIS GERSTLE, JAMES M. McDONALD,
ROBERT W. SIMPSON.
Publication Coinviittce.
GEORGE DAVIDSON,
JUSTIN P. MOORE, CHARLES G. YALE,
JOHN T. EVANS, EDWARD LEE GREENE.
W. Churchill, Editor.
BULLETIN fe'.
CALIFORNIA
'KS
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES,
Vol. 2, No. 6.
JANUARY, 1887
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
The Washoe Roclis. Geo. F. Becker 93
Provisional Value of the Latitude of the Lick Observatory. Geo. C.
Comstock 12 1
Studies in the Botany of California and Pnrts Adjacent. V. Edward
Lee Greene —
1. Some Genera Which Have Been Confused Under the Name
Brodisea 125
2. Miscellaneous Species, New or Noteworthy 144
On Tetraodon Setosus, a New Species Alliei to Tetraodou Meleagris
Lacep 155
Descriptive Notices of North American Coleoptera. I. Thos. L, Casey. 157
Submarine Valleys on the Pacitic Coast of the United States. Geo.
Davidson, A. M. Ph. D ^ 265
Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. Walter E. Bryant.. 269
Standard Geodetic Data. Geo. Davidson, A. M. Ph. D 319
Early Spanish Voyages of Discovery on the Coast of California. Geo.
Davidson, A. M. Ph. D 325
ISSUED JHNUARY 12, 1BB7,
BULLETIN.
]Nlo. G.
(California Academy of Sciences.
THE WASHOE ROCKS.
BY GEO. F. BECKER.
INTRODUCTORY.
It is well known to all who are interested in lithological
geology that Messrs. Hague and Iddings^ have denied the
validity of many of the results wdiich I reached concerning
the rocks of the Washoe district." These geologists frankly
confess that they commenced the study of the Washoe rocks
with a preconceived theory which the\' desired to prove,
and that they found my collections convenient for this pur-
pose.^ To prove their hypothesis, however, it was essential
to ignore or disprove a large part of m^^ conclusions as to
the structure of the district; for though my results were not
inconsistent with their main thesis, the region could not be
Note i.— Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey. No. 17.
Note '^. — Monograph III, U. S. Geol. Survey.
Note ^ — They say, page 10: "In studying the collections of lavas from the
Pacific Coast volcanoes we were forcibly impressed with the insensible gra-
dations in the micro-structure in the groundmass of rocks of the same min-
eral composition from a purely glassy form to one wholly crystalline, and cor-
responding exactly in structure to a fine-grained granite-porphyry. * * -
In seeking a locality in the Great Basin which could afford the necessary
conditions for carrying out such an investigation as we desired to make,
showing the actual transition from the glassy to the granitic structure, it
was readily seen that the Washoe district was the only place offering suffi-
cient material for the work."
8— Bull. Gal. Acad. Sci. II. 6 Issued November 6, 1886
94 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
said to afford conclusive proof of it unless my conclusions
as to structure and succession were lirst overtliro\yn.
This demolition they have somewhat ruthlessly attempted.
During the past season I have re-examined the Washoe
district with their paper in hand, but without being able to
detect any substantial error in my former results. I also
gathered many new facts concerning the relations of the
rocks and, much as I regret being drawn into a controversy,
it seems needful to call attention to these as well as to
arguments not presented, or imperfectly presented in my
former report. I shall be as brief as possible and deal only
with the, more essential points, being unwilling to con-
tribute an unnecessary word to controversial literature.
SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
IBefore proceeding to points which are in dispute, I desire
to state certain principles concerning which, so far as I
know, Messrs. Hague and Iddings would wholly agree
with me. Given the chemical composition of an eruptive
magma; the mineralogical results are dependent solely on
the physical conditions to which it is subjected. It is not
a question therefore, whether if similar magmas are sub-
jected at different times to similar temperatures and press-
ures similar mineralogical and lithological results will
ensue, but whether at different geological eras the physical
conditions attending the cooling of eruptive masses have
been substantially identical. That this has sometimes been
the case will scarcely be denied. The problem with which
geologists have to deal, however, is not precisely that just
stated, for, since the earlier formations have been deeply
eroded while the degradation of comparatively recent rocks
is as a rule correspondingly small, upper portions of more
recent eruptions have to be compared with lower portions
of more ancient eruptions. The lithological problem is
thereby greatly complicated.
The main purpose of lithology, to my thinking, is to trace
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 95
the physical conditions through which a mass of readily
ascertainable chemical composition has passed. Hence, in
the present state of ignorance concerning the effects of high
temperatures and pressures, the most rational method is to
study and record every peculiarity of every occurrence and
every perceptible difference between rocks. When at some
future time the causes of the observed effects are well
known, it will be easy to ignore distinctions which are in-
significant. If all traceable distinctions are not now pre-
served, however, it will then be necessary to trace them out
lest significant differences should be neglected. It has never
appeared to me, for example, that a distinction between
pre-Tertiary and Tertiary eruptions was a natural one, but I
regard it as an artificial substitute which it would be unwise
to abandon, at least until some available natural principle
distinguishing little eroded from deeply eroded rocks is
discovered and thoroughly established.
Eocks can, of course, never be classified with the sharp-
ness of minerals. Kocks are essentially mixtures and
therefore pass over into one another insensibly. The won-
der is, that rocks not only conform in some degree to a
system, but that certain lithological types exhibit such an
extraordinary persistence, being met with at the most re-
mote quarters in typical development. While the very
nature of the case thus excludes a rigid classification of
rocks, observation clearly indicates the possibility of reduc-
ing them to a natural system.
THE PORPHYRITIC PYROXENE EOCKS.
The Issue. — Those who are familiar with the points at
issue between Messrs. Hague and Iddings and myself, will
readily see that the main subject of controversy is the pyrox-
enic rocks. ^ In my memoir on the Comstock, I claimed
Note '. — Mr. VV. Cross' paper on hypersthene andesites was published after
my lithological discussions of the Washoe rocks was ready for the press, and
too late for a revision. The Washoe pyroxenic rocks contain much hyper-
sthene, although the quantity of augite usually exceeds that of hypersthene.
96 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
that there were two separate eruptions of porphyritic,
pyroxenic, plagioclase rocks, closely allied, indeed, but
presenting peculiarities in structure and occurrence which
made it necessary, according to the accepted criteria of the
time, to separate them into diabase and andesite.^ Messrs.
Hague and Iddings consider both of these masses literally
or substantially as a single Tertiary eruption.
During the past season I have found additional reasons
for maintaining the existence of diabase, and also for divid-
ing the pyroxene andesite into two distinct outflows separa-
ted by a long interval of time.
Diabase at Steamboat. — At Steamboat Springs, at the west-
ern foot of the Virginia range, and about six miles from
Virginia City, occurs an extensive series of sedimentary
beds. They are for the most part in a condition of great
alteration, much plicated, on the average nearly vertical,
the strike following the general direction of the Sierra.
Andesites and basalts have broken through them and over-
lie them. No trace of a fossil could be detected in these
rocks. They are certainly pre-Tertiary, however, for the
Miocene to the north and the Pliocene to the south (at Car-
son) are very differently characterized. This series appears
to be at least as old as the beds determined as Jura-Trias
by the geologists of the 40th parallel. These beds contain
pebbles of the exact physical and mineralogical character of
the most typical portion of the east wall of the Comstock
lode, which I determined as porphyritic diabase.*^ It is
Note '". — In my memoir on the Comstock lode, it is maintained that the
rocks of the district, in the order of their succession, are as follows: Granite,
metamorphics, granular diorites, porphyritic diorites, quartz-porphyry, j)or-
phyritic diabase, later diabase (black dike), earlier hornblende andesite,
augite andesite, later hornblende andesite, basalt. It will be shown in this
paper that the augite andesite would be more properly entitled xDyroxene
andesite, and that it is divisible into two eruptions, bt^tween which, how-
ever, no other lava is known to have been ejected.
Note ^. — As is almost invariably the case at Virginia, the pyroxenes are
represented only by pseudomorphs, but these are unmistakable.
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 97
thus absolutely certain that there is somewhere in the neigh-
borhood of Mount Davidson real pre-Tortiary diabase, not
distinguishable either by definable characteristics or by
those more subtle properties known as habitus from Com-
stock diabase. The locality in Avhich these pebbles occur
now receives the drainage from Mt. Davidson. According
to my investigation of the faulting action on the Comstock,
this locality formerly received the drainage from the diabase
area at Virginia. Be this mentioned, however, only as
evidence that the two localities are substantially in the same
district. It would be impossible and is unnecessary to show
that these pebbles are from the particular mass which forms
the east wall of the lode. This occurrence throws the bur-
den of iDroof on to anyone who chooses to deny the pre-
Tertiary age of a rock which, in its characteristic exposures,
has a distinctly different character from representative augite
andesites.
The lithological distinctions between the porphyritic dia-
base, and the augite andesite of Washoe are somewhat re-
fined, and in many cases it may be impossible from the
mere study of specimens to discriminate them.
This could hardly be otherwise, for it is difficult to con-
ceive that a porphyritic diabase could, so differ from a por-
phyritic pyroxene andesite, that every hand specimen, or
every slide could be unhesitatingly referred to its proper
category. In their typical developments, however, they are
distinguishable without difficulty. It may be that this is
only because in the course of geological periods the older
rock has been eroded to a depth at which the glassy magma
had a better opportunity to crystallize and at which fluid
inclusions were more readily formed, while the infiltration
of waters for ages has produced, even in the freshest spec-
imens, effects familiar to the observers of the older rocks;
or the distinctions between the older and younger rock may
be due to some other cause not yet elucidated. However
this may be, the east wall of the Comstock, at the higher
98 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
levels, and particularly on the 500-foot level, is entirely
similar to diabases of well ascertained age, while the
augite andesite found over a thousand feet lower is equally
typical augite andesite. Of these two types, one answers
perfectly to the pebbles in the pre-Tertiary rocks at Steam-
boat, while the other does not. There are thus good litho-
logical arguments, as such arguments go, for the assertion
that the east wall of the Comstock is diabase, though these
do not by any means complete the chain of evidence ad-
ducible.
Pyroxene Andesite at Steamhoat. — There are at. Steamboat
Springs extensive masses of pyroxene andesite, indistin-
guishable from a portion of the indubitable Washoe ande-
sites. This rock also cuts ordinary hornblende andesite
in dikes at the springs, and furthermore, passes by insen-
sible gradations and in good exposures into an extremely
micaceous "trachytic" andesite in all respects similar
to the later hornblende andesite of the Comstock region.
The hypersthene seems to be gradually suppressed and
replaced by mica, the augite at the same time yield-
ing to hornblende. So gradual is the transition, that
in some croppings of the intermediate rocks one may
search for half an hour before detecting a flake of mica,
and from this rock with a vanishing trace of mica to one
which looks as if it contained 30 or 40 per cent, of biotite,
every degree of admixture can be found. In large adjoin-
ing areas on the other hand the pyroxene andesite appears
to be entirely free from mica. The exposures are so good
and so extensive that there can be no mistake about these
facts. At Steamboat Springs then, only six miles from the
Comstock and on the same mountain range, there is cer-
tainly a pre-Tertiary porphyritic pyroxene rock in pebbles
and a very recent porphyritic pyroxene lava in large masses.
The latter is certainly more recent than the ordinary dense
hornblende andesite.
Micaceous Pyroxene Andesites at JVasJwe. — Having studied
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 99
these relations at the Springs I made an examination at
AYashoe for purposes of comparison. On Mt. Kate, and
the range of hills to the southeast of it, I detected the
same transition rocks, in small quantities but distinctly
developed. This range is mostly composed of a very
coarse pyroxene andesite. Its structural relations had
always puzzled me, for while the rock of which it is com-
posed presents, as a whole, apparently insignificant litho-
logical differences from the ordinary pyroxene andesite of
the Comstock area, there seemed plain evidence that the
main mass had been much eroded, while this range seemed
to have suffered but little. It now appears to be the first
portion of the series of eruptions of w^hich the later horn-
blende andesite was the last, and I believe it to have been
much later than the main, comparatively level pyroxene
andesite area, though no eruptive rock, intermediate in age^
has been detected. I may also mention that I have traced
the same passage from pyroxenic to micaceous andesite at
Mt. Shasta and at Clear Lake.
Messrs. Hague and Iddings recognize that my diabase
preceded the older hornblende andesite. Tbey also recog-
nize that the later hornblende andesite was ejected long^
after the earlier hornblende andesite. The pyroxene ande-
site of the Mount Kate range, which is connected with the
later hornblende andesite by transitions, must, therefore,,
to accord with their admissions, be younger than the rock
w^hich I called diabase. The discovery of these transitions,
thus leads inevitably to the conclusion that the pyroxenic
porphyries of Washoe are not substantially one eruption.
Earlier Hornblende Andesite. — The relative age of the
older hornblende ^ andesite ^of AVashoe seems to me very
clear. It overlies both the diabase and the diorite in thin
sheets, and Messrs. Hague and Iddings admit that it is
younger than these rocks. They assert, however, that it
is also younger than the mass of rock laid down on my maps
as augite andesite. They are consequently compelled to
100 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
argue that in the region penetrated by the Forman shaft,
a thickness of over 1,300 feet of hornblende andesite has
been injected beneath an earlier mass of pyroxene andesite.
This I regard as a mechanical impossibility.
Granting, for the sake of argument, the soundness of the
theory of laccolitic eruptions, these can occur only where
the overlying rock is coherent and tough. If a sheet of wet
paper is laid on a slab of glass or marble, it is not difficult
to inject beneath it a mass of water, which will simulate
a laccolite. But a single pin-prick in the dome allows
the water to escape and the paper to flatten. Eruptive
rocks after cooling are always cracked, and they are also
brittle. Laccolites cannot therefore be formed in eruptive
rocks. The only remaining supposition is, that the pyrox-
ene andesite floated upon the hornblende andesite. If solid
pyroxene andesite will float upon melted hornblende ande-
site at all, which seems improbable, the pyroxene andesite
would certainly not float high out of the melted mass, but
would be almost submerged. The hyjDothesis of flotation,
therefore, implies that the whole region was flooded with
hornblende andesite to the level of the top of Mount Kate,
a supposition which is entirely at variance with all appear-
ances. I believe also that a careful inspection of the prom-
ontory of augite andesite, in which the Forman shaft is sit-
uated, on my map, including an examination of the topog-
raphy, or a very hasty glance at the model prepared from
the map, will lead most geologists to regard the supposition
that the hornblende andesite has been injected beneath the
pyroxene andesite, as highly improbable.
Conclusions as to Pyroxenic Rocks. — I re-assert, there-
fore, that there was an eruption of porphyritic pyroxene
rock (diabase) prior to the hornblende andesite erup-
tion, and that pyroxene andesites also followed the horn-
blende andesite. These pyroxene andesites appear divisi-
ble into two outflows, one of which certainly immedi-
ately preceded the later hornblende andesite, while there
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 101
seems sufficient evidence that the other eruption of pyrox-
ene andesite was far earlier and comparatively near to the
date of the hornblende andesite. It is worth noting that
most of the glassy pyroxene andesite, and perhaps all of it,
belongs to the eruption immediately preceding the later
hornblende andesite.
DIORITE.
Not characteristically pyroxenic. — Messrs. Hague and
Iddings maintain that the two walls of the Comstock
are the same rock and both originally in the main py-
roxenic. That in some cases the granular diorite of my
report contains fresh brown hornblende, far exceeding the
accompanying augite in quantity, they do not deny, but
they assert their belief that in the main mass of the granular
rock, containing green fibrous hornblende in irregular
patches, this mineral is uralitic. This is a case in which
full direct evidence is scarcely available, there being com-
monly no means of deciding whether the bisilicate in a
particular slide is a product of the degeneration of pyroxene
or of hornblende. During my last visit I collected a series
of specimens with a view to testing this question on the fine
exposures of the face of Mount Davidson.
In a great portion of this rock the grains are somewhat
indistinct from an admixture of the minerals. In other
portions equally granular, the grains are sharp and appar-
ently free of impurities. Specimens of the latter class
were selected and slides from them show that they contain
unquestionable crystals of hornblende with characteristic
outlines.
Porphyritic cliorife. — Benewed observations were also made
on the porphyritic patches of the mass. On the bare faulted
surfaces of the diorite of Mount Davidson, though consider-
ably more than 90 per cent, of the rock is granitoid in struc-
ture, there are patches of porphyritic rock surrounded by
granular material, and patches of granular matter sur-
102 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
rounded by porjjhyritic rock. Neither one nor the other
form inchisions. They resemble the dark spots so constantly
found in granite and show in innumerable instances, a tran-
sition from one structure to the other. In some cases this
transition is rapid though unmistakable, in others it is
very gradual, so that it would be impossible to say within
some inches where the mass should be called granular, and
where porphyritic. In a great proportion of cases, the por-
phyritic portions contain hornblende recognizable with the
naked eye. Under the microscope, hornblende is seen to be
abundant, and augite almost entirely wanting. Now, I know
of no reason to suppose that the change from a porphyry
Avith a granular ground mass to a thoroughly granular struc-
ture is regularly accompanied by a change of the bisilicate
from hornblende to augite; indeed, there is ample direct
evidence that this is not necessarily the case. The infer-
ence then is strong that where these patches occur, and I
know of no part of the mountain which is free from them,
the mass is essentiall}^ and originally hornblendic.
Crystallization of diorite does not vary loitli depth. — But even
if it could be shown that the granular west wall of the Com-
stock were of the same mineralogical composition as the
east wall, as I believe impossible, it would be a necessary
inference from the whole nature of the occurrence that the
two rocks Avhich I call granular diorite and porphyritic dia-
base are diiFerent eruptions which have cooled under wholly
different conditions. The diorite is now exposed on the
3,000 foot level of the Chollar mine. It is at this point ab-
solutely identical in mineralogical and physical character
with the rock on the surface. This statement is not founded
on general impressions. I gathered every variety of the
diorite which was to be found on the 3,000 level, and
took the specimens with me to the flume above the crop-
pings. I found no difficalty in matching each of them per-
fectly as to structure and coarseness. The only trace of
difference was in the color, which was of course a bluish
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 103
gray in the specimens from the mine and a yellowish tint
where the rock was exposed to the air. It is manifest and
indisputable that the west wall of the 3,000 foot level cooled
under a pressure greater than the rock of the west wall of the
croppings, tlie difference amounting to that of a vertical
column of 3,000 feet of west country rock. The specific
gravity of this rock is about 2.80. It is consequently certain
that a pressure of above 3,600 pounds per square inch, or
about 256 kilos per square cm. has produced no perceptible
difference in the mineralogical or physical character of
the west country rock.
Nor that of diabase. — The diabase of the 3,000-foot level
is porphyritic and rather finer grained than it usually is on
theSutro Tunnel or any higher level. An additional pres-
sure, nearly as great as in the case of the diorite, has equally
failed to produce a coarser or less porphyritic character in
the diabase, or, in short, to induce any approximation be-
tween the r^cks. These rocks are so distinct at the 3,000-
foot level that no common miner fails to see the difference
between them, or to recognize the character of each and the
distinction between them as the same which prevailed at
higher levels. In short, there is at the lode a very sharp
break in the general character of the rock.
In the effort not to burden my memoir wdth wearisome
details, I there perhaps insufiiciently described the distri-
bution of the granitoid diabases, though I distinctly as-
serted that the commonest variety of the east country diabase
is a fine-grained blackish-green rock. The granitoid variety
is, in fact, decidedly rare, though circumstances led me to
pay particular attention to its occurrences. The granitoid
form is not only most likely to be confounded macroscop-
ically w4th diorite, but is also least subject to decomposi-
tion and best fitted for microscopic study. It forms a very
small portion of the mass.
The two rocks cannot he one eruption. — According to my
104 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
calculations, the faulting on the Comstock amounts, at this
locality, to about two thousand feet vertical dislocation. If
this is correct, and if the two walls are portions of the same
eruption, the fine-grained diabase of the 3,000-foot level
cooled under a pressure of at least one thousand feet greater
than the coarse granitoid rock which forms the west wall at
the croppings. It is also to be observed, that since these
rocks are separated only by the width of the fissure, and
must have been in contact before the fissure formed, it is
impossible to suppose those portions of the rocks which
were originally on one level subject to different physical
conditions in cooling, if they originally formed parts of one
eruption. It is of course open to all to doubt the correct-
ness of my theory of the faulting on the Comstock. If I
am wrong, the fault may have been greater, but I think
few geologists who have studied the district would be
willing to admit a fault of above three thousand feet. If the
vertical displacement is supposed three thousand feet, the
fine-grained diabase of the 3,000-foot level must have cooled
under a pressure not less than that of the granitoid diorite
west of the croppings, if the two ro*cks formed portions of
the same eruption. On the other hand, this would involve
as a consequence the assumption of an immense erosion
since the fault took place, an hypothesis at variance with
many observed relations. One of these is on Messrs.
Hague and Iddings' hypothesis, the survival of glassy
portions of the great eruption of porphyritic pyroxene
rock. There being no limit to suppositions, however, any
amount of faulting may be supposed. It then appears
that if the texture of these rocks is a function of the
depths at which they cooled, the coarseness and granula-
tion increasing with the depth, though slowly, the amount
of faulting which will account for the character actually
observed must exceed six thousand feet by a distance
which is indefinite but certainly enormous. This no one
will maintain for a moment.
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 105
PEOGRESSIVE CRYSTALLIZATION.
Ohservafioiis on the surface. — Messrs. Hague and Iddings,
however, claim to observe in my slides a progressive in-
crease in the coarseness of the grain of the rocks from the
contact between the later hornblende andesite with the
augite andesite to the lode itself. This is a distance of about
ten thousand feet. They appear to me to have been misled,
and for this opinion there are various grounds. Messrs.
Hague and Iddings admit that the later hornblende ande-
site is much later than the pyroxene andesite. The latter
has, consequently, been subject to very considerable ero-
sion. If, therefore, there is a progressive tendency in the
physical character of this rock on the Sutro Tunnel level,
such a tendency should also be sensible on the present sur-
face of this rock, lying as it must considerably below the
original surface, Indeed, as I shall presently show, it
should afford a better opportunity for establishing their
theory. I have gone over the entire surface area east of the
lode, with a view to the examination of this point. I found
that while the pyroxene andesite is as a whole pretty uni-
form, quite as much so as similar rocks usually are, it was
possible in any area of a few yards square to find very con-
siderable differences in the grain of the rock. Carrying-
quantities of chips about with me for comparison, I found it
impossible to establish anything like a tendency in the
crystallization. I examined with particular care a belt
about 7,500 feet long lying directly above the Sutro Tunnel,
and could detect no tendency to coarser or more uniform
grain at the western edge of the pyroxene andesite area
above the tunnel than near Shaft No. II, nor could I detect
anything of the kind at any intermediate point.
Secondary Minerals in the Tunnel RocJiS. — I have also re-
examined the Sutro Tunnel which is no longer a satisfac-
tory field for observation, being now almost everywhere
timbered. I have carefully reviewed my own slides from
106 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
the adit as well as the new ones prepared for Messrs.
Hague and Iddings. In the greater part of these,
the gronndmass, as well as the porphyritic crystals, are
highly modified, and a very large proportion of the grains
so carefully measured by Mr. Iddings are neither more nor
less than secondary quartz. In my opinion, if his micro-
scopic analysis of the gronndmass of these rocks proves any-
thing, it is simply that solfataric action increased in inten-
sity as the distance from the lode decreased, an interesting
result but not a new one.
Physical Conditions. — If the diabase and augite andesite
formed a single eruption, the original surface may have been
level. If so, there could have been no difference in pres-
sure or rate of cooling on any horizontal line. Those who
do not accept my theory of faulting on the Comstock will
probably regard the east country as a single continuous
mass. In that case, it is hard to see how there can have
been any notable increase of pressure or retardation of
cooling along the Sutro Tunnel. If the truth of my theory^
of the faulting is granted, the tunnel strikes the east wall of
the Comstock at a point which was originally about 1000
feet lower than the eastern edge of the augite andesite.
But I have already shown that an increase of depth of 3000
feet makes no perceptible difference in the character of the
rock. The influence of a single thousand feet cannot pos-
sibly be traceable therefore.
The supposed eruption may also have formed a volcanic
cone above the Comstock instead of a level surface. In
this case, too, horizontal planes would be level or equipo-
tential surfaces, or planes of equal pressure," and there
could be no tendency induced by pressure to more thorough
cry^stallization on horizontal lines, even if it were supposed
Note ^ — This can readily be seen by considering extreme cases. Suppose
a hollow cone tilled with fluid. Then of course horizontal surfaces are sur-
faces of equal pressure. Suppose a perfectly rigid cone; the same result fol-
lows. From these extremes any intermediate case of a viscous cone follows.
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 107
that crystallization could progress after the cones were
complete though still hot. It is difficult to imagine any
influence other than pressure tending to modify the char-
acter of the rock in a horizontal direction excepting the
rate of cooling, which would depend upon the distance
from the nearest surface. The dip of the lode is 45^, an
angle greater than that of any volcanic cone/ hence the
rock at the lode on the 3000 foot level must have been
further from the surface of the supposed cone than that at
the croppings, besides being under enormously greater pres-
sure. Since no difference tending to confirm the views of
Messrs. Hague and Iddings is perceptible on the dip of the
lode, it seems improbable that any could be detected along
a horizontal line equally far removed from the surface.
Bait of variation of crystallization. — It is very evident
from Messrs. Hague and Iddings' paper, that the rate of in-
crease of crystallization is more rapid near the inner end of
the tunnel than near the outer end. The difference in this
respect between the ordinary fine-grained diabases and the
diorites, supposed by them to be the same rock, is very
great; while they do not claim to have found anything like
so great a difference between dift'erent portions of those
tunnel rocks which I regard as pyroxene andesites. Now,
one cannot consider the laws of cooling and the curves and
functions representing them for a moment without perceiving,
that the difference of rate of cooling decreases very rapidly
near the surface of a cooling body, and almost disappears at
considerable distances from the radiating surface. Hence, it
would seem that if the difference in crystallization is de-
pendent on the rate of cooling, and if Messrs. Hague and
Iddings have correctly interpi'eted the structure of the dis-
trict, the rate of increase in the Sutro Tunnel should have
been greatest at the eastern edge of the pyroxene andesite
and nearly or quite imperceptible near the lode.''
Note ^. — American Journal of Science, 1885, vol. 30, p. 283.
Note ^. — It is well known that iron-blast furnace slags, which are glassy if
108 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The present surface of the pyroxene andesite lies some
1,200 or 1,500 feet nearer the original surface than the sec-
tion of it made by the Sutro Tunnel. If a cone of the rock
originally existed here, it follows from the above that the
surface should afford a sensibly better opportunity than the
Tunnel for tracing the increase of crystallization. It offers
the farther advantages of more extensive exposures and far
greater freedom from decomposition. As already pointed
out, however, it yields no arg anient in favor of the theory
propounded by Messrs. Hagae and Iddings.
The intensity of solfataric action must approximately
follow the logarithmic conduction curve which, as I show-
ed, represents the distribution in the east country of heat
emanating from the lode. So far as the observation of
Messrs. Hague and Iddings on the ground mass of the rocks
refers to secondary products, it thus appears in entire con-
sonance with my investigations.
Progressive crystallization not prove I at Washoe. — The case
with reference to progressive increase of crystallization
then stands as follows : On the line of the Sutro Tunnel
the augite andesite at the surface above the tunnel has been
examined for over 7,000 feet, and no tendency could be de-
tected to any progressive change in the rock. It is difficult
to imagine any conditions under which such progressive
tendency (if it ever existed) would not be more marked at
the present surface than in the Sutro Tunnel; or in other
words, the change between the extreme ends of the line ex-
amined on the surface would be expected to correspond to
the change on a longer line in the tunnel. Other portions of
the augite andesite area were examined with a similar result.
There is no sensible difference between the diorite at the crop-
allowed to cool in the air, are " basaltified" or converted into a tongh, lithoid
mass if they are run into pits and covered with a few feet of non-condnctiug
material. Laboratory experiments, of course, prove much the same thing.
In these cases the relation of the change to the distance from the surface is
just what would be expected if the granulation is a simple inverse function
of the rate of cooling.
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 109
pings and that at the 3,000 foot level. The distance between
these exposures is about 4,200 feet. Since the pressure must
have differed more for these two points than for points
equally removed on a horizontal line at the inner end of the
tunnel, and since the difference of distance from the original
surface of these points on the dip Ccin hardly have been less
than that for corresponding points on the tunnel, a much
greater difference in degree of crystallization would be ex-
pected on the dip of the lode than in an equal distance on
the tunnel. Similar remarks apply to the diabase. The
variation of the rate of increase of crystallization indicated
by Messrs. Hague and Iddings is the reverse of that of the
rate of cooling, while theory and experiment seem to indi-
cate that these two quantities sliould vary in the same
sense. The grains which Mr. Iddings measured are largely
those of secondary quartz and perhaps other secondary min-
erals. These secondary crystals appear actually to increase
as the lode is approached, as would be expected. The Su-
tro Tunnel and, so far as is known, the Washoe district af-
ford no valid proof of progressive increase of crystallization
in holocrystalline rocks.
OTHER DISPUTED POINTS.
JJiorites. — xllthough the main issues have now been
treated, it appears unavoidable to make some remarks as to
other points upon which Messrs. Hague and Iddings dis-
agree with me. I have already mentioned in this paper the
relations between the porphyritic diorites and the granular
forms of the same rock which make it impossible to sepa-
rate them. I also enlarged upon the same relation in my
memoir on the Comstock. The area I have laid down as
diorite is, I repeat, after re-examination, substantially one
rock. If (as my opponents claim) the porphyritic diorite is
hornblende andesite, then the whole mass of Mount David-
son is hornblende andesite and neither augite andesite, as
they assert, nor diorite as I believe. I am not so rash as to
9— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 6, 1886.
110 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
assert that my lines of demarcation are faultless. I can
only say that they were laid down with the most scrupulous
<;are and as the result of arduous labor, and that I know of
no errors. If, however, it may hereafter prove that I have
erroneously determined some slide, specimen or cropping,
here or elsewhere in the district, this will not invalidate the
general truth of my conclusions.
The case of the micaceous diorite is precisely analagous
to that of the porphyritic hornblende diorite. Mica occurs
in patches on the bare rock surfaces of Mount Davidson —
here a flake or two, there a group fading out into rock in
which there is no mica discoverable. These occurrences
are less striking than those of porphyj^itic diorite in the
region immediately above the central group of mines, be-
cause the presence of mica at this point is unattended by
any physical or structural modification of the granitoid
mass. To the north of Spanish Eavine there is an increase
in porphyritic forms, both micaceous and hornblendic, but
the change is very gradual, and as typical granitoid diorite
occurs here as on Mount Davidson. If the micaceous rock
is all later hornblende andesite, as Messrs. Hague and
Iddings pronounce it, then Mount Davidson is later horn-
blende andesite.
^^ White 7vck/' — Messrs. Hague and Iddings assert that
some white rocks found in the tunnel are identical with the
rock called, in my report, felsitic quartz porphyry. The
white rock contains no original quartz, but abundant sec-
ondary grains. It is connected macroscopically and micro-
scopically by transition with less altered andesites. This
can be shown from some of the slides referred to by Messrs.
Hague and Iddings as the white rock, when compared with
others which they recognize as andesites. An exactly simi-
lar case is exposed on a very large scale by the cuttings
made in the hillside to gain space for the Combination
Hoisting Works. Heie typical hornblende andesite is in-
tersected by a belt of solfataric action; and every imagin-
THE WASHOE ROCKS. Ill
able intermediate stage, from a mass like hard, white chalk
to a fresh andesite, is plainly visible on an unbroken expo-
sure. There are other exposures in abundance on the sur-
face. The analogy between this white rock and the felsitic
quartz porphyry depends on a single specimen of the former,
which shows a banded structure something like that of rhyo-
lite, a feature which is also of common occurrence in the
felsitic rock. Now, I have called attention to this struct-
ure of the east country rock in the following terms i^*^
*' In several of the rocks a stratified or laminated structure
is visible; but in the half-dozen such cases known to me,
the phenomenon extends for very short distances, often only
a few feet, and appears to be the result of some local varia-
tion in the composition of the rock; for not only can I
perceive no general uniformity in the direction of the layers
in these difi'erent spots, but I have a single hand specimen
which shows two sets of them at an angle of nearly 90^ to
one another."
"There are limited occurrences of excessively fine-grained,
closely laminated diabase, resembling slate. The diorites
and both the andesites show the same phenomenon."
The specimen of white rock supposed to be so significant
came from one of these spots, which occur not only in it but
in other rocks as well. The lamination, however, is not
characteristic but extremely exceptional in the white rock.
The specimen is not representative, but was carefully pre-
served as an exception, and the peculiarity which it presents
has no taxonomic value.
Quartz porpJiynj. — Messrs. Hague and Iddings employ this
as it appears to me, wholly baseless identification, to argue
that the white rock containing no quartz excepting as a re-
sult of decomposition, is a dike of rliyolite, and proves that
my identification of tlie only quartzose rock in the district as
pre-Tertiary quartz porphyry is erroneous, as well as my in-
terpretation of its structural relations. A very large body
Note '^. — Geology of the Comstock Lode, pages 51 and 182.
112 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
of quartz-porpliyry is met with in the mines, and is inter-
sected by the Baltimore, Caledonia and Knickerbocker
shafts. ^^ The bottom of the Forman shaft is also in this
rock. The last occurrence is referred to by Messrs. Hague
and Iddings as '*a small body," though of its size no one
can possibly know anything. They explain these occur-
rences on the same intrusive theory adopted to account for
the hornblende andesite in the Forman shaft. The same
objections stated above, in regard to the applicability of this
theory to the hornblende andesite, apply also to this case,
but with still greater force; for it seems certain that ande-
sites could not float in melted quartz porphyry. The
quartzose rock, it is true, must be viscous when melted and
might therefore carry up small fragments of andesite or even
heavier substances, but that it could lift and support a mass
of rock specifically heavier than itself and over 2000 feet in
thickness I believe quite impossible.
Eock inclusions in quartz loorphyry — In the hope of obtain-
ing evidence as to the succession of the quartzose rock and
the andesites which should appear to every one unequivocal,
an earnest search was made last summer for included frag-
ments, near Basalt Hill. In the augite andesite nothing
could be found. This is perhaps not strange since this
rock, particularly in this neighborhood, was evidently of very
great fluidity. Lighter rocks would have floated upon it and
would have been the first portions of the mass to be re-
moved by erosion. Heavier rocks would have sunk to the
bottom. In the quartz porphyry, inclusions of metamorphic
rocks and of granite (entirely similar to that of the adjoining
area, to that of Steamboat Sprin'gs and of the Sierra Nevada),
were in some localities tolerably abundant. There was
nothing like andesite to be found, which seems strange, if
the quartz porphyry broke through the andesite carrying
with it fragments of the other rocks through which it burst.
This evidence, however, is only negative.
Note ^^— See Atlas, sheet VI.
THE AVASHOE ROCKS. 113
The porphyry an orthoclase rock. — Messrs. Hague and Id-
clings assert that there are plagioclastic as well as orthoclas-
tic rocks among the specimens brought in by my party as
quartz-porphyry. For the purpose of testing the character of
the rock; large specimens were gathered at five localities in
the district last summer, and separated by the Thoulet method.
The localities were chosen at points as far removed from one
another as possible, in order that the entire area might be
represented as well as practicable by so small a number of
specimens.^' The localities are as follows: Dump of the
Forman shaft; quarry near toll-gate on American Flat road;
1,500 feet south of the Amazon mine; 1,200 feet W.S.W. of
Excelsior mill; 1,200 feet N.E. of Eoux' ranch. These
rocks are not well fitted for complete separation by the
Thoulet solution, the quartz, orthoclase and groundmass
coming down together in an almost continuous stream be-
tween specific gravities from 2.63 to 2.58. The material of
a specific gravity exceeding 2.64 consists almost exclusively
of ferro-magnesian silicates, iron ores and plagioclase,
Making allowance for mixtures, it appears from the experi-
ments that the specimens in the order named contain ap-
proximately the following percentages of plagioclase: 8, 8,
8, 1.5, 4.5. Although the orthoclase could not be separated,
it is evident that the rock contains above 25 per cent, of
feldspar, ^^ and that all of these specimens are to be regarded
as orthoclase rocks.
That at some point or points in the district some small
portion of the rock may contain an excess of plagioclase, in
the nature of a local segregation, I cannot deny. The rock
Note ^-. — In order that no uncouscions bias might affect the selection, I
chose these localities on the map without visiting them, and requested mj'
assistant. Mr. Lindgren, to proceed to the points chosen and take the speci-
mens. He collected the freshest rock he ooiild find at each spot, irrespective
of the frequency of quartz grains. Mr Lindgren also made the separations.
Note i^. — On the quantitative composition of quartz porphyry, see Eoth
Allg. Geol. Vol. 2, p. 108.
114 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
as a whole, however, is much tlie most uniform in the dis-
trict, and no such local exception to the representative min-
eral composition can properly affect its classification.
Fluid inclusions in quartz porphyry. — According to Messrs.
Hague and Iddings, the microscopic characteristics of most
of this rock are exactly the same as those of rhyolites from
the Great Basin. They will not, however, deny that they
are also exactly similar to those of well known pre-Tertiary
rocks. These geologists seem to attach little importance to
fluid inclusions, ^^ though I should have thought that on
their own hypothesis such inclusions would be valuable as
an indication of the amount of the erosion. They grant,
however, that this rock contains more fluid inclusions than
are usual in the later quartzose volcanics of the Great Basin.
Every single slide of the quartz porphyry which I have seen
contains fluid inclusions. In many cases they are extremely
abundant. I have made no extensive special studies of
rhyolites, and cannot therefore state how frequent such oc-
currences are. I note, however, that Prof essor Zirkel says^*
of a rhyolite f rom the Washoe Mountains: "A remarkable
phenomenon, discovered in this genuine rhyolitic rock, was
a quartz which contained the most characteristic fluid inclu-
sions." If one supposes that fluid inclusions in the quartzes
of rhyolites as now exposed are so rare as they appear to be
only because the deeper portions of the eruptions are not yet
laid bare, then the quartzose rock of Washoe, if it is a rhyo-
lite, is a very deeply eroded one. If it is indeed younger
than the glassy augite andesites, as Messrs. Ha^iie and
Iddings maintain, and as if, as I believe with them, rocks
with a glassy groundmass are found only near original sur-
faces, it is strange that these andesites have not been eroded
as well as the rhyolite.
Note ^+. — That I regarded the evidence of fluid inclusions as one to be ap-
pealed to with caution, may be seen from my memoir, page 50, foot-note.
Note i^. — Exploration of the 40th Parallel, Vol. 6, page 197.
THE AVASHOE ROCKS. 115
They do not indeed state that fluid inclusions are confined
to, or specially characteristic of the lower portions of rhyo-
lite eruptions, but they do make an equivalent statement
regarding the andesites, and their description of the pass-
age from a glassy to a highly crystalline mass is couched in
such general terms that I cannot doubt their holding sim-
ilar views with reference to rhyolite. Of course a similar
train of reasoning makes it apparently inexplicable that the
surface exposures of Mount Davidson should show fluid in-
clusions, Avhile glassy rocks still remain on the Mount Kate
range, if the augite andesite and the diorite form substan-
tially one eruption. There is no reason why the Davidson
range should have been deeply eroded while the Kats range
escaped degradation. A range may escape erosion while the
valley at its base is deeply excavated, but that of two paral-
lel ranges, distant a couple of miles, one should be deeply
eroded wdiile the other escapes almost entirely, is conceiva-
ble only under most extraordinary meteorological con-
ditions, if at all. There are no such remarkable conditions,
at Washoe.
Hornhlende andesite intlie tunnel. — The rock laid down as
hornblende andesite on my section of the Sutro Tunnel is
comparatively fresh at the eastern edge. The remainder of
the occurrence in the tunnel is far too thoroughly decom-
posed for direct determination either macroscopically or
microscopically. Messrs. Hague and Iddings, however,
assume that only a narrow dike of this rock is intersected
bv the adit, and conclude that the earlier hornblende ande-
site of my report is younger than any of the pyroxenic
rocks. My determination of the width of this mass was not
founded exclusively upon the exposure in the tunnel. The
combination shaft is only 400 feet distant from the tunnel
section. The top of this shaft is in the typical hornblende
andesite figured in my report on plate V. Some of the
stations of the shaft were accessible, and I also had access
to a private collection of rocks from the shaft which w^ere
116 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
gathered during the sinking of the shaft. By repeated
study of these specimens, and by comparisons between
them and decomposed portions of the hornblende andesite,
near the top of the shaft on the one hand, and with dia-
bases of the Sutro Tunnel level on the other hand, I
came to the conclusion that the hornblende andesite of the
surface was continuous from the top of the shaft to a point
about 250 feet above the tunnel level. At this point there
was a change in the character of the rock which corre-
sponded to a similar change in the tunnel about 100 feet fur-
ther east than the shaft. Through these points I drew the
contact after taking all available facts into consideration.
My determination of the width of the hornblende andesite
in the tunnel was neither a guess nor was it founded on any
theory, but was legitimately based upon the best observa-
tions which the nature of the case permitted. It is in entire
accord with the results of my more recent studies at Steam-
boat Springs, where as has been pointed out, the earlier
hornblende andesite is younger than one portion of the
pyroxene rocks and older than another portion.
Dikes. — Messrs. Hague and Iddings claim that there is a
dike of later hornblende andesite in the pyroxene andesite
of the Sutro Tunnel. That for some distance the rock here
carries some mica is unquestionable. When I first detected
the presence of this mica, I believed that the later horn-
blende andesite was the last andesitic eruption, but the evi-
dence on this point gathered up to that time was not so
good as I desired. I should consequently have been glad
to consider this a dike, and during some sixty visits to the
tunnel, I examined this occurrence many times, but without
being able to make up my mind that there was sufficient ev-
idence to warrant the assertion of its intrusive character.
It is true that I did not regard mica as necessarily an unfail-
ing indication of one and only one rock, nor do I now. It
may be that this really is a dike. If so, it is a very obscure
case. They also maintain that dikes are very numerous
THE WASHOE ROCKS. llT
throughout the region. This I deny. It is a region where
dikes should be expected, and to this fact I was full}' alive.
Mr. King, in his hypothetical section of the country, showed
several; and Mr. Church asserted that there were at least
twenty-five or fifty north and south dikes. Messrs. Stretch,
Eeade and I were constantly on the lookout for these im-
portant aids to geological interpretation and their almost
entire absence was repeatedly a matter of surprised com-
ment in my party. Except under unusual conditions, a dike
is recognizable with the utmost ease, and very few cases
could escape reasonably careful scrutiny. It is, of course,
possible to interpret variations in the state of decomposi-
tion and similar phenomena as dikes on superficial examin-
ation. This has often been done at Washoe, but these cases
do not stand the tests of careful study. At Steamboat,
among the same rocks, real dikes are not infrequent, and
the indications of their character are clear.
Lithologiccd criteria. — I cannot but believe that Messrs.
Hague and Iddings, led away by the fascination of their
hypothesis, have unconsciously made a somewhat arbitrary
use of lithological criteria. Because the pyroxene andesite
strongly resembles the porphyritic diabase, they insist the
two rocks must be substantially of the same age, notwith-
standing the structural evidence to the contrary. Yet they
believe that pre-Tertiary eruptions are not, as such, distin-
guishable from later volcanic rocks. On general principles,
therefore, they would be satisfied with a moderate amount
of evidence of the diversity in the age of rocks which were
lithologically similar. In this particular case, however,
such proof would diminish the strength of their argument
for a relation between granulation and distance from a fixed
point. But lithological dissimilarity does not^stand in the
way of tlieir identifying rocks; for though only an infinites-
simal portion of the highly decomposed andesite of the Su-
tro Tunnel, possesses a banded structure, and though this
structure, common to various rocks, is the only point of
118 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
similarity Avliicli appears to exist between this material and
a quartzose felsitic mass distant over two miles, they do not
hesitate to identify the two, structural evidence again to the
contrary notwithstanding. While a large part of the granular
diorite is, beyond question, hornblendic, and a still greater
portion is of such a character that it is now impossible to say
with certainty whether the green amphibole is original,
uralitic, or results from an alteration of brown hornblende,
they regard the whole mass as altered pyroxene rock. Yet
when any specimen of this rock is found to contain mica,
they pronounce it later hornblende andesite, no matter how
it may be involved in the mass of their supposed pyroxene
andesite. But mica is not a more significant mineral than
hornblende or augite, as I feel confident from many observ-
ations. It would seem to me as reasonable to call the later
hornblende andesite, diabase, because it contains some
augite as to call the micaceous spots in the granular mass
of Mount Davidson later hornblende andesite because they
carry mica. Black dike again they identify with the very
dissimilar basalt of the district. The structure and physical
character of this rock are exactly similar to the commonest
variety of diabase elsewhere. They state, indeed, that they
have seen basalts of the same structure, but these are cer-
tainly rare, for though I have had occasion to make micro-
scopic examinations of many basalts, I have never seen one
which at all resembled black dike. The excellent represent-
ation of this rock in my memoir will enable lithologists to
judge for themselves on this point. Its bearing on Messrs.
Hague and Iddings' theory is manifest, for, if it is a diabase,
the surrounding masses must bo pre-Tertiary; but if it is
basalt, it is in so far possible that the enclosing rocks may
be Tertiary or later.
It is surely unnecessary to go into further detail on the
subject of the Washoe rocks. I find that several of them
at least, extend into the area of the Gold belt of California,
THE WASHOE ROCKS. 119
on which work by my parties has already begun, and to
which my whole attention will be given for many years to
come. It is not unreasonable to expect, that in the exten-
sive area which will there be examined, some 12,000 square
miles, the questions raised at Washoe will be presented, in
a sulficient varietv of forms, to ensure correct solutions.
Condusiom. — While I do not deny that the granular and
granitoid rocks are simply those which have cooled at great
depths and under great pressure, I can see no evidence at
Washoe to prove it. Pressure and depth, not improbably,
tend to produce the effects which Messrs. Hague and
Iddings ascribe to them, but I am certain that in many
cases, minute differences of chemical composition produce
effects greater than differences of depth of, say, from one or
two thousand feet. ^*^
The only important changes which I feel called upon to
make in the results of my former investigation of the Com-
stock lode are that hypersthene is present in the pyroxenic
rocks, and that the area of these rocks laid down on my
Note i^. — An eruptive magma is probably never fluid enough to become thor-
oughly homogeneous, and where the products of the chemical reactions are
multifarious, it is to be expected a priori that minute differences in composi-'
tion should estciblish strong tendencies which may manifest themselves either
in the mineralogical or the structural results. Observation also shows that
cases are very frequent in which adjoining rock masses so related that
they cannot have been subjected to different physical conditions, exhibit dif-
ferences not otherwise to be accounted for. Easy as it is to ascertain the
ultimate composition of rocks, every one recognizes that we know too little
as yet of the intricacies of mineral chemistry to be able to establish a
thorough correlation between the composition and the lithological results.
One road to a more satisfactory knowledge of this subject appears to be pre-
sented by the principles of thermo-chemistry. I have attempted a slight
theoretical advance in this direction in an article which will soon be printed.
[American Journal of Science, vol. .31, 18S6, p. 120]. Meantime, although it
as yet impossible usefully to employ quantitative determinations so accurate
as those which chemists are in the habit of making, it is most desirable that
these records should be correctly kept. I pointed out in my memoir on the
Comstock, that two analyses, originally published in the reports of the Ex-
ploration of the 40th Parallel, contained inconsistent data. These analyses
are numbered V, and VII, by Messrs. Hague and Iddings (page 33), who
120 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
maps as angite anclesite is divisible into two separate erup-
tions of different dates.
I affirm that the structural relations and the succession of
rocks as set forth in my memoir, is substantially correct.
In particular, the pyroxene andesite, diabase and diorite
exposed in the Sutro Tunnel, do not form one continuous or
contemporaneous rock mass, as would be necessary if this
exposure were to lend any support to the hypothesis of pro-
gressive increase of crystallization. On the contrary, these
rocks constitute at least three distinct eruptions, separated
by long time-intervals.
I consider it possible that the quartz porphyry, although
of greater age than the andesites, may have been erupted in
early Tertiary times, but this I think unlikely.
Though there may be local segregations of plagioclase
in the quartz-porphyry, five new separations by the Thoulet
method show that it is substantially an orthoclase rock.
I think it possible, but improbable, that the black dike is
basalt. In the present state of science, an absolute decis-
ion on this point is impossible.
The remainder of the conclusions stated at the close of
Messrs. Hague and Iddings paper, I deny.
I conclude also that valuable as is the study of collections,
inferences from them may easily be pushed too far; and
that it is impracticable to elucidate the structure of a com-
plex region from collections, however extensive.
Office of the U. S. Geological Survey, )
San Fkancisco, December, 1885. j
state that they have revised them by comparison with the original records
so far as possible. This was evidently by no means superfluous. They
have made four changes in V, which seems a large number of misprints in a
single analysis. In VII, they have made only one correction; but the orig-
inal record of this analysis must be faulty, since the sum of the items, as
they give them, still fails to tally with the total. While the effect of minute
variations of composition seems beyond question well marked, it is not en-
tirely clear what effects should by expected from high 'pressures, the consid-
eration of which, at once brings up the perplexing question of the relative
dynamical influence of absolute stress and stress-difference.
LATITUDE OF THE LICK OBSERVATORY. 121
PROVISIONAL VALUE OF THE LATITUDE OF THE LICK
OBSERVATORY.
By Professor George C Comstock.
Communicatsd by Captain K. S. Floyd, President of the Lick Trustees.
The following provisional value of the latitude of the Lick
Observatory depends upon observations made upon four
nights in August, 1886, with the Repsold meridian circle by
Professor Geo. C Comstock, assisted by President E. S.
Holden, who kindly read the microscopes. All of the stars
observed were selected from the star list of the Berliner
Astronomisches JaJirhuch, and the latitude depends upon the
apparent declinations of the stars as given in that ephe-
meris. Both the fixed and the movable circle of the instru-
ment were read for each star, and were .separately reduced.
The discordances found between the results from the two
circles are not greater than may fairly be attributed to
division errors; the results from the fixed circle are, how-
ever, rather more accordant with each other than are those
from the movable circle, indicating either inferior gradua-
tion or unstable clamping of the latter.
Each observed star furnishes a value of the reading of the
circles when the telescope is pointed to the celestial equa-
tor (technically called an equator point), aiid the mean of
all the equator points obtained during a night is taken as
the equator point for that night. The circle reading cor-
responding to the nadir was obtained at the beginning and
end of each night's observations, and the mean of these
nadir points is assumed as the nadir point for the night.
The agreement of the individual nadir points is fairly satis-
factory, the difference between separate determinations
upon the same night in no case amounting to as much as
122
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
V\ The difference between the mean equator point and
the mean nadir point is the supplement of the latitude.
The following table furnishes a brief summary of the
results derived from the observations of each night:
Date.
Position of
Instrument.
No. of
Stars.
Latitude from
lixed Circle.
Latitude from
Movable Circle.
1886— August 5
August 8. .
August 13
August 14. ...
Clamp W.
" W.
" E.
E.
7
12
8
11
37° 20' 24". 7
24.2
25.3
25.3
37° 20' 24". 5
25.1
24.8
25.4
The mean of the results Clamp W. is 37° 20' 24''. 6; the
mean for Clamp E. is 37'° 20 25". 2, showing a slight dis-
-cordance between the results derived from different posi-
tions of the instrument. Such a discordance wsls a 2^rio7i
probable, having been found in the case of other meridian
circles.
The most probable value of the latitude that can be de-
rived from these observations, is the mean of the results
Clamp W. and Clamp E. :
37° 20' 24".9,
which may be adopted as a provisional value for the latitude
of the center of the mercury basin of the meridian circle.
The probable accidental error of this result, estimated from
the discordances of the individual results, is not far from
dz 0."10, but the above value of the latitude provisionally
assumed, may be affected by systematic errors arising from
defective graduation of the circles, flexure, irregular refrac-
tion, etc., amounting in the aggregate to a considerably
greater quantity.
The north dome of the Lick Observatory is twenty-seven
feet north of the meridian circle, whence its latitude results
from these determinations, 37° 20' 25". 2.
Mr. C. A. Schott, Chief of the Computing Division of the
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, has kindly communicated
results for the position of this station, Avhich have been
LATITUDE OF THE LICK OBSERVATORY. 123
derived from the triangulation measures of Professor Da-
vidson.
These are (for the dome of the 12-inch equatorial) :
Latitude = -f 37^ 20' 24''.752.
Longitude = + 121° 38' 35''. 284 (Greenwich).
Longitude = 8 h. 6m. 34.352 (Greenwich).
Longitude = 2 h. 58 m. 22.26 (Washington).
It will be observed that our determination of the latitude
gives a result, 0".4 greater than that of the U. S. Coast Sur-
vey. This corresponds to about forty feet, six inches. The
agreement between the two results is perfectly satisfactory,
when we consider the small number of stars observed by us,
and also that the position derived by the U. S. Coast and
Geodetic Survey is not strictlj^ definitive, as two stations
(viz., Macho and Sta. Ana) require to be occupied to com-
plete the primary triangulation in this vicinity.
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODI.EA. 125
STUDIES IN THE BOTANY OF CALIFORNIA AND PARTS
ADJACENT,
BY EDWARD LEE GREENE.
V.
(With Plate VI.)
1. Some Genera ivJiicJi have been Confused under the Name
Broclicea.
Of the species herein to be discussed, only five or six are
presumed to be new. Many of them have long been known,
and most of them have been collectively elaborated by at
least two eminent botanists within a few years. There has
been the widest diversity of opinion among authors regard-
ing the limits of the genera, and the entire group is confes-
sedly a perplexing one. Before so many as twenty species
had become known, no less than thirteen genera had been
either established for, or more or less replenished with
them; but in the most recent pronouncement/ the bulk of
the species, embracing at least three very good genera, as
we understand them , are all disposed under Brodicea. From ,
the earliest days of my residence on this coast, where these
plants are indigenous, I have regarded the arrangement
placed before students and amateurs in the Botany of Cali-
fornia, as most unnatural; and having now given five succes-
sive seasons to the study of the commonest species under
circumstances peculiarly favorable to the forming of a sound
and rational judgment upon them, I am now ready to offer
the result of my investigations.
The Liliaccce as an order are poor subjects for herbarium
study. The fabric of their flowers is delicate, being made
up of a maximum of water and a minimum of permanent
Note ^ — Botauy of California, Vol. ii, by Sereno Watson, pp. 152-157.
10— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 13, 1886.
126 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
tissue, and the characteristics of the filaments and their ap-
pendages, matters of acknowledged importance to the sys-
tematist, are sure to suffer obscuration, if not entire obliter-
ation, in the process of drying under pressure. Neverthe-
less, almost all which has been written hitherto upon Bro-
dkea and its allies has been written from the herbarium, and
all our authorities upon the group are foreign authorities.
No exception is to be made of botanical scholars belonging
to the Atlantic side of our own continent; for they are three
thousand miles distant from the habitat of these plants, and
as regards facilities for acquiring familiar and thorough
knowledge of tlie genera and species, possess little if any
advantage over authorities residing at London or St. Peters-
burg, Paris or Berlin.
In the field there stand forth a few broad hints of generic
limitation which must, I think, impress every observer. We
have, for example, a group of perhaps a half dozen species
whose scapes are tall and weak and either actually twining
or else, by a marked tortuosity, expressing a demand for
extraneous support. And there is another group, more
numerous in species, whose scapes are short and rigidly
erect. But the external dissimilarity does not end here.
The voluble or tortuous kinds bear compact umbels of small
flowers; the stiff-stalked species have loose umbels of large
flowers; and, moreover, the two groups, as we for the pres-
ent call them, have each its own pattern of a perianth; some-
thing in the outline of that organ which, though nearly im-
possible to define in Avords, is recognized at a glance by the
botanist's eye, if he have the fresh flower before him. Now
if the individual perianths of the two kinds be carefully ex-
amined, other differences easily definable reveal themselves.
The weak-stalked, small-flowered assemblage of species
have uniformly a thin, somewhat inflated perianth-tube with
the body of which the filaments are so perfectly coalescent
as to disappear from the wall of the tube altogether. In the
stifl-stalked, loose-umbeled group the perianth-tube is of
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODLEA. 127
firm texture and not inflated, and the filaments, stout and
angular, are prominent upon the wall of the tube, down ta
its very base, being attached only by one of the sides or
angles. This last named character I discovered in the field,,
but am able henceforth to trace it even in the dried speci-
mens. In the first named group the volubility of the scapes
is the most striking outward mark of a genus; but it is
very apt to disappear before the specimens are ready for the
herbarium; and the one unlucky species whose stalk does-
not altogether untwist itself in drying has, by closet bot-
anists, been forced away from its less strongly twining rela-
tives, and must henceforth labor bibliographically under
the weight of at least four generic synonyms, of which
Macroscapa is barbarous, Rupalleya and Dichelostemma in
good form, Siropholirlon admirably chosen, but all equally
uncalled for.
The confusion of the two genera whose respective
limits I have thus briefly and informally indicated, was
begun bv tlie very first author, Salisbury, to whom any of
the species were known; and it was continued by his con-
temporary Smith. The renowned author of the Enumeratio
Plantarum was first to recognize in the species of Smith's
Brodkea two distinct generic types. I was long under the
impression that Kunth's name, Dichelostemma, would have
to be continued for one of these two genera- Of the priority
of Salisbury's Hookera over Brodlcea I was not aware until
that fact was so clearly brought out, less than a year ago,
by Mr. Britten, editor of the London Journal of Botany,
and this important circumstance being recognized, it does
not appear necessary to take up the name Dichelostemma;
for, the plant which Salisbury brought forward as the type
of Hookera, namely H. coromtvia, being of one genus and
tliat which Smith figured as the type of Brodkea, that is,
B. congesta, representing the other, I see no reason why
both these generic names ought not to be continued in use.
But, Brodkea and Hookera, as thus outlined, will include
128 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
rsomewhat less than one half of the species under considera-
tion. The others have in no instance the perianth-pattern
of either of those genera; are never, like them, merely tri-
androus; and their anthers are in no instance adnate. Along
with considerable variability in the shape of the perianth,
they display always six perfect stamens with versatile an-
thers. There is, moreover, a striking peculiarity in the way
in which the filaments are joined to the tube of the peri-
anth, and. that is of the following description : the filament
is slender and the upper part free, more or less; the adnate
portion inconspicuous down the upper part of the tube,
reappearing toward the base in the form of a thin but prom-
inent crest. The species, however closely agreeing in
habit and in the points of floral structure thus indicated,
are diverse to a troublesome degree in the relative propor-
tions of the tube and limb of the perianth, and more espec-
ially in the structure and attachment of the androecium.
The three or four species representing the very extremes of
this diversity were, singularly, those which fell first into the
hands of botanists, and each of these was very naturally
and, under the circumstances, quite logically taken to be
the type of a genus; and so there was Triteleia, seeming to
approach Brodiwa by its broadly tubular perianth: Seuher-
tia, in which the tube is attenuate below and the internal
crests very strongly brought out; Calliprova, in which the
cristiform reappearing of the filament quite fails, but is com-
pensated for by an alar dilation of the upper free part of that
organ; Hesperoscordum, in which the whole perianth is open
campanulate, and the filaments dilated and monad elphous
below. This last has, in my opinion, better claims than any
of the others to separate generic rank. A year ago I should
probably have insisted on its restoration. But the past
season's collecting has yielded us a second species whose
filaments are not at all dilated, but simply and singly adnate
to the perianth for one half their length. Morphologically
there is nothing in these two plants to keep them out of
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODLEA. 129
Allium. The old species was actually referred to that
genus by -two celebrated botanists of Europe, each acting
independently of the other. Its showy umbels very closely
resemble those of the beautiful Allium tmifolium of nearly
the same habit; but Hesperoscovdum is wholly wanting in
alliaceous properties. With this group, therefore, collect-
ively distinct as it is from both Hoohera and Brodkea, I see
nothing to be done but to join the whole in one under the
oldest name, Triteleia. Against Mr. Baker's view that they
are susceptible of admission to the South American genus
J/i/Za there appear to me some quite insuperable objections.
All the South American species which he has so referred
have inarticulate pedicels, different subterranean parts, and
some of them at least are strongly alliaceous. We have
some North American plants which seem to be exactly in>
termediate in character between Brodicea and Mllla, namely,
the two species of AndrostepJiium, forming a genus whose
validity has not, I believe, been called in question. It ex-
hibits the coronated perianth of Brodicea, but has alliaceous
qualities. Our California plant, which now goes happily,
in my estimation, under Mr. Watson's name, 3Iailla, is also
a connecting link between —or rather, an argument for the
distinctness of — the North and South American genera.
This is excluded from Allium only by its wanting the well-
known properties of that genus, wdiile, on the other hand,
it is inadmissible to Triteleia by reason of its jointless
pedicels.
Two other of our California genera of this alliance need,
to be here spoken of: Bloomeria, which, although it now
rejoices in three well-marked species, is, I apprehend, in
danger of falling into Triteleia through the Calliprora group;
and Brevoortia, which has an inflated perianth to bring it
close to Brodicea, and a development of the filaments at the
base of the tube suggestive of Triteleia, but which is best
Note -. — Allium lacteum, Beuth. PI. Hartw. 339; and Allium Tilingi, Regel^
All. Monogr. 124.
130 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
retained in generic rank, especially since a new plant from
Lower California with a somewhat similarly inflated and as
brilliantly scarlet colored perianth, must also be accorded
a like grade, on account of the very distinctive character of
its androecium.
SKODI^A, Smith in part.
Tube of the perianth thin and subtranslucent, campanulate
or somewhat urceolate, more or less inflated and angular or
saccate; segments about equaling the tube, campanulate-
or rotate-spreading and often somewhat recurved. Fila-
ments 6, inserted on the throat of the perianth, coalescent with
the tube below and disappearing from its surface, developed
above the insertion into petaloid appendages, those opposite
the outer segments sterile, or with a half-sized anther, the
other three always fertile. Anthers basifixed. Ovary sessile,
or nearly so. Style stout. Stigma 3-lobed. Leaves 2,
■deep green, very fleshy. Scape tall, weak and tortuous, or,
in several species occasionally twining under the many-
flowered, compact umbel. — Smith, Linn. Trans, x. 3. excl.
B. grandiflova ; Baker, Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, 375, in part;
S. Watson, Proc. Am. Acad. xiv. 236, and Bot. Calif, ii.
152, in part. Dichelostemma, Kunth. Enum. iv. 269; Wood,
Proc. Phil. Acad. 1868, 173. 31acroscapa, Kell., Pacific,
1854. StropJioUrion, Torrey, Pac. E. Rep. iv. 149. t.
23. Rupalleya, Moriere, Bull. Linn. Soc. Norm. 1863.
Mookera, in part, of Salisb. Parad. Lond., and of Britten,
Journ. Bot. xxiv. 51.
* Fertile stayneiis 3; periajiih-tuhe much constricted under the
segments.
B. VOLUBILIS, Baker, 1. c. 377. Scape 4 — 10 feet high, in
smaller plants tortuous only, in larger ones firmly twin-
ing towards the summit; perianth rose-purple, 6 — 8 lines
long; tube 3 — 4 lines in diameter, hardly as long, hexagonal,
the angles somewhat saccately enlarged about midway;
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODI.EA. 131
segments rotate-spreading, with recurved tips; fertile fila-
ments produced behind the anthers into a pair of ligulate,
emarginate appendages nearly equaling the linear-sagittate
anthers, and, like the very similar staminodia, ciliolate-
scabrous. — Macroscapa, Kell. 1. c. : Rupallei/a, Moriere, 1. c:
jSfropholirion Calif ornicum, Torr. 1. c. and Watson, 1. c. :
Dlchelosiemma Calif ormcura, Wood, 1. c.
Of rather extended yet well defined habitat, being found
exclusively among the foothills on either side of the Sacra-
mento valley, but not crossing either divide of mountains;
thus ranging northward and southward for a hundred miles.
The figure in the Pacific Eailroad Keport is not very accur-
ate, for the angularity of the tube of the perianth is not at
all brought out; but this may be owing to the fact of the
artists having only dried specimens to work from; and in
such this character is not apparent. The scape is also
wrongly represented, twining as it were evenly and regu-
larly, like that of a Convolvulus, for almost its whole length,
a condition not likely to be found in reality. The plant in-
habits the outer borders of thickets and also the open
grounds adjacent to bushes. The scapes commonly grow
erect and independent of foreign support, and remain so
until toward the time of flowering; then a short coil of a few
very abrupt turns is made just below the umbel around
some more or less horizontally projecting branch or twig.
This is the condition of tall and luxuriant specimens grow-
ing near small trees and shrubs. Those farther off from
such extraneous supports twine in like fashion about each
other, or if entirely isolated, do not twine at all. All the
other species, except B, congesta, which has its own peculiar
mode of taking hold of bushes, are occasionally twining;
this one almost universally so. There is therefore no dif-
ference in habit between this and the other species, and Mr.
Baker's transference of it to this genus is one of the good
points which in his elaborate monograph, he has made with
132 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
respect to our Californian species. I may add, that in re-
spect to color, B, volubilis is commonly rose or nearly white,
but not rarely exhibits the violet shade which predominates
in the genus. Its flowering season is from early in May to
the middle of June.
B. MULTIFLORA, Bentli. Scape 2 — 4 feet high, scabrous,
under the umbel, tortuous or occasionally twining as in the
last: perianth deep violet-purple, 8 — 10 lines; tube narrowly
constricted above, twice as long as broad, shorter than the
spreading segments: staminodia obtuse, entire, little ex"
ceeding the oblong, deeply bifid anthers. — PI. Hartw. 339;
Baker, 1. c. 154; B. parviflora, Torr. & Gray, Pac. K. Kep. ii.
125; Wood, 1. c. : Hookera multiflora, Britten, 1. c.
From central California to Oregon, in the mountains onlyr
at least in California. Mr. Watson's remark in the second
volume of the Botany of California, that the present species
flowers a month or two earlier than B. congesta, evinces en-
tire lack of knowledge on the part of his informants. B.
multifiora is the latest of all species, being found in good
condition of flower as. late as July. It is considerably later
than B. congesta, which is next to it in tardiness.
B. CONGESTA, Smith. Scape 3 — 5 feet high, flexuous, but
apparently never twining: flowers blue-purple, in a dense
capitate raceme: perianth as in the last species: staminodia
bifid, spreading with the limb of the perianth, and purple,
as in no other species. Trans. Linn. Soc. x. 3. t. 1; Baker,
1. c; Watson, 1. c. : Dichelostemma, Kunth. Enum. iv. 470;
Wood, 1. c. 173: Hookera pidchella, Britten, 1. c. in part, not
of Salisb.
Central California to the borders of British Columbia, in
open or wooded places among the foothills, flowering in May
and June. The figure in the Transactions of the Linnean
Society was apparently taken from a specimen not well de-
veloped, and does not indicate that distinctly racemose char-
acter of the inflorescence which Mr. Watson supposes to be
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODI.EA. 133
exceptional, but which we who see every year hundreds of
luxuriant specimens know to be universal. This, like B. volu-
bills, attains its best development when growing in the edges
of thickets where its tall scapes obtain their needed support
by taking a zigzag course up among the branches of the
buslies. It is a peculiar species in this respect, and more
peculiar still in the racemose inflorescence.
^^ Fertile stamens 6.
-\— Perianth-tiibe constricted above.
B. PULCHELLA. Scape 2 — 4 feet high: flowers umbellate:
perianth as in B. coiigesta: appendages of filaments erect
or somewhat convergent over the anthers. Hookera piilcJiella^
Salisb. Parad. ii. t. 117;Britten, 1. c. excl. syn. : B. congesta;
B. capitata in part of several authors (?).
The plant which I here quite confidently take for the real
Hookera pulchella, has not been long known to me; but I
had named and diagnosed it as a new species before having
seen the figure in the Paradisus. It is distinguishable from
B. congesta, wdth which it grows, by its umbellate inflores-
cence and hexandrous flowers, and from B. capitata by its
differently shaped perianth and ^Bstival flowering season,
that species being early vernal. Its existence, as a species,
is certified to me, first, by my own field observations and
comparisons, made at Berkeley, where it grows and flowers
with B. congesta, or even a little later than that, and fully
six weeks after B. capitata has passed out of the field. I
have also a single specimen from the Yosemite Valley, ob-
tained late in June, 1886, by Miss Brunton. The hexan-
drous character of Salisbury's plant has been a stumbling-
block in the path of all authors from his own time down to
the present; for every one has inferred from the close, in-
deed quite perfect, similarity of the perianth, that this and
Sir J. E. Smith's B. congesta were identical; but that is
plainly triandrous. Salisbury himself, believing them to be
the same, was able to reconcile in his own mind the dis-
134 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
crepancy by a supposition that three of the anthers were
deciduous. He says he has observed that to be the case.
Our field studies reveal no tendency even, to anything of
that kind. Kunth, in the Enuraeratio, supposes the hexan-
drous representation in the Paradisus to be an error of the
artist. Perhaps this learned author did not read English,
and so, failed to be instructed by Salisbury's verbal testi-
mony to the faithfulness of the figure in this respect. It is
a very interesting piece of infoimation, that which Mr.
Britten has given us in a foot-note appended to his valua-
ble article that, among the original specimens of B, co)tgesia
collected by Menzies, he finds one whose difi'erence from all
the others had not escaped the keen perception of Robert
Brown, who marked it "Distinct and hexandrous." This
specimen will most likely prove to be of the present species;
for, as I have already said, this grows with B. congesta and
flowers at the same time. A collector would naturally ob-
tain the two at once, and at a season of the year when the
other common and Avell known hexandrous species would be
long out of flower. The plant which Professor Wood saw
at Yreka, in the northern part of the State, " Growing with
the other \^B. congestct], readily distinguished at sight,"
must have been this and not B. ccqntcUa, which , apart from
its far earlier flowering, does not grow so far to the north-
ward, to my knowledge.
-t--^ Perianth-tiLhe funnel form, iwt at all constricted ahove.
B. iNSULAKis. Scape 3 — 5 feet high : leaves often a yard
long and an inch broad : bracts elliptic-lanceolate, acumin-
ate, scarious, tinged with purple and, marked by dark veins;
umbel elongated: perianth light purple, ten lines long;
tube about 4 lines; segments ovate-oblong, obtuse, campan-
ulate, not recurved: appendages of filaments erect, not con-
vergent.— B. capitata, Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad. i. 227, not
of Bentham.
Islands off the Californian coast, from San Miguel to Gua-
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODI^A. 135
dalupe. Closely related to the next but many times larger;
best distinguished by the elongated umbel, of which the
central pedicels are longest and the outer gradually shorter,
giving the cluster the peculiar configuration of the raceme of
B.congesta; indeed, the pedicels need only to be united, and
then we should liave a repetition of the inflorescence of that
species. The corms are the largest in the genus, often two
inches in diameter; and those brought from Guadalupe and
grown at Berkeley flower simultaneously with B. congesta,
many weeks later than the species to which, morpliologi-
cally, it is nearly related, namely —
B. CAPITATA, Benth. Scape 6 — 18 inches high; leaves
nearly as long, 3 — 6 lines wide : bracts elliptic-oblong, ob-
tuse or acute, herbaceous and, in California, of a rich dark
violet-purple: pedicels unequal but the outer elongated, not
the inner, forming a loose, broad umbel: perianth as in the
preceding, but smaller: corona connivent over the anthers.
—PL Hartw. 339; Watson 1. c: 3Ella, Baker. 1. c. 381:
Dichelostemina capitatum, Wood. 1. c. in part, doubtless.
Central California to Utah and New Mexico and southward
to the northern districts of Mexico, flowering from January
to April. In the vicinity of San Francisco, hillsides may be
found empurpled with it in early March. It commonly
grows in masses, on very open stony ground, the weak
scapes often twining about one another for mutual support-
In this species alone are the umbels occasionally compound,
the elongated outer pedicels becoming true peduncles, each
bearing its bracted umbel within the common spathe. The
figure in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5912, does not fail to
illustrate the dark, almost metallic beauty of the bracts
which is a fine peculiarity of this species, at least in Cali-
fornia; but the stamens are wrongly represented as exposed
by an open corona, whereas in nature the parts of it are
sufficiently convergent to hide them.
136 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
HOOKERA, Salisbuky In j^art.
Tube of perianth firm and opaque, turbinate or somewhat
urceolate, but never at all inflated or saccate: segments
equaling the tube, campanulate- or rotate-spreading, the
tips often recurved. Filaments 6, stout and 3 — 4-angular,
not coalescent with the perianth-tube, but coherent with it
by one side or angle and remaining prominent down to its
base, 3 antheriferous and the alternate 3 bearing white, pet-
aloid lamelloe. Anthers basifixed. Pistil as in the preced-
ing genus. Scapes shorter, more rigid, never twining or
tortuous. Umbels loose and mostly few-flowered, the pedi-
cels elongated and firm. — Parad. Lond. ii. t. 98; Britten,
Journ. Bot. xxiv in part. Broduea, in part, of Smith, Baker,
Watson and others.
H. Califoenica. Scape 2 feet high, stout and somewhat
scabrous: leaves a foot or two long, a fourth of an inch
broad, flattened: pedicels 10 — 25, 2 — 3 inches long: peri-
anth 1 J — 2 inches, rose-color to deep purple : anthers J inch
long, slightly shorter than the lio*ulate, retuse staminodia. —
Broduea Californica, Lindl. Trans. Hort. Soc. iv. 84; BrodicBa
grandiflora, var. elatior, Benth. PI. Hartw. 339; B. grandi-
flora, var. (?) major, Watson, Bot. Cal. ii. 153.
Upper part of the Sacramento Valley.
H. coRONAiiiA, Salisb. 1. c. Scape stout, about a foot
high: leaves a line wide, somewhat terete: pedicels 3 — 10,
1 — 4 inches long: perianth an inch or more long, purple:
anthers 4 — 5 lines long, exceeding the oblong-lanceolate,
mostly acute staminodia. — Broduea grandiflora, Smith,
Trans. Linn. Soc. x. 2; Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 2877; Baker,
1. c. in part: Watson, 1. c. excl. var.
The commonest species, occurring nearly throughout Cal-
ifornia, Oregon and Washington Territory.
H. MINOR, Britten, 1. c. Scape very slender, 3 — 6 inches
high: pedicels 2 — 6, 1 — 3 inches long: perianth an inch or
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODLEA. 137
somewhat less, the limb rotate-spreading : anthers 2' lines
long, shorter than tiie retuse or emarginate staminodia. —
Brodkea grandiflora, var. minor, Uenth. PI. Hartw. 340; B.
minor, Watson, 1. c.
Common from the Sacramento Yalley to the southern ex-
tremity of the State. Keadily distinguished from the pre-
ceding, when seen in the field, by its rotate perianth-seg-
ments.
H. TEREESTRis, Britten, 1. c. Scape commonly altogether
subterranean, the umbel only above ground: leaves subter-
ete : pedicels 2 — 10, slender, 3 — 4 inches long : perianth less
than an inch, the limb rotate : anthers Ih lines long, shorter
than the yellowish emarginate staminodia, the margins of
which are involute. — Brodkea, Kellogg, Proc. Cal. Acad. ii.
6; Watson, 1. c.
From near San Francisco northward to the borders of
Oregon, toward the coast. Its yellowish staminodia, with
their margins rolled in. resemble true anthers but are
wholly sterile.
H. STELLARis. Scapc 2 — 6 inches high : leaves nearly ter-
ete: pedicels 3 — 6, an inch or more long: perianth 10 lines
long, red-purple: fertile filaments wing-appendaged behind
the anther, the appendages broadly oblong, half the length
of the anther : staminodia longer than the stamens, white,
emarginate, their margins slightly involute. — Brodicea, Wat-
son, Proc. Am. Acad, xvii, 381.
Near Ukiah, Mendocino County, discovered in 1881, by
Mr. Carl Purdy, and not yet found elsewhere.
H. ROSEA. Scape slender, 3 — 6 inches high: leaves sub-
terete: pedicels 5 — 8, an inch long: perianth 10 lines long,
rose-red, the segments narrow and apparently campanulate-
spreading: free portion of fertile filaments deltoid-dilated;
anthers not quite equaling the white, obtuse, slightly invo-
lute staminodia: capsule short-stipitate, the cells 5 — 8
ovuled.
138 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Collected at Hough's Springs, Lake County, May, 1884,
by Mrs. M. K. Curran. Distinguished from H. stellar is by
the narrower segments of the perianth, and by the deltoid
filaments and the absence of appendages behind the anthers.
H. FiLiroLiA. Scape slender, 6 — 12 inches high; leaves
linear-filiform; pedicels 3 — 6, 1 — 2 inches long; perianth dark
blue, 6 — 9 lines long: segments rotate, broadly oblong;
anthers sessile, 2 lines long, nearly twice the length of the
triangular staminodia. — Brodicea, Watson, 1. c.
Neighborhood of San Bernardino; collected by the Parish
Brothers and by G. E. Vasey.
H. Orcuttii. Scape stout, a foot or more high; leaves
linear, flat or conduplicate, not terete; pedicels 5 — 15, an
inch or two long; perianth-segments oblong-lanceolate, twice
the length of the short tube; free portion of the filaments
about two lines long, the linear anthers nearly as long;
staminodia wanting (?).
San Diego county, near the city of that name, and also
thirty miles to the northward. — C. R. Orcutt, 1884.
The comparatively short tube of the perianth and the
elongation of the filaments are peculiarities of this species
quite as remarkable as the absence of staminodia; although
I do not speak positively on the last named point. I have
seen only dried specimens, and shall not be surprised if an
examination of the living flower brings to light some trace,
at least, of staminodia.
TRITELEIA, Dougl. Hook. Lindl.
Tube of the perianth from narrowly turbinate to open
campanulate, not inflated, angular, or saccate, longer or
shorter than the segments. Stamens 6, usually in two rows;
filaments slender, from almost whoOy adnate, to nearly free,
the free portion mostly without wing-like appendages,
coalescent with the upper part of the perianth-tube, but
usually reappearing strongly at base of the same, in the form
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODUEA. 139
of thin but prominent crests. Anthers smaller than in
Hookera and versatile. Ovary on a long slender stipe, or
rarely almost sessile. Scapes tall and slender, but firm,
not tortuous. Umbels loose, many-tlowered. — Lindl. Bot.
Keg. t. 1-293 and t. 1685; Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. ii. 186, t. 198,
B.; Kunth. Enum. iv. 465, as to the N. Am. species only;
Wood. Proc. Phil. Acad. 1868, 171. He^peroscordam, Lindl.
1. c. ; Hook. 1. c; Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech. 400; Kunth, 1. c.
464; Wood, 1. c. Calliprora, Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 1590; Hook.
& Arn. i. c; Kunth, 1. c. 476; Wood, 1. c. 172. Seuhertia,
Kunth, 1. c. 475; Wood, 1. c. 171. Part of 31111a, Baker, and
of BrocUcea, Watson.
"^Perianth broadly tubular. — Triteleia proper.
T. GRANDIFLORA, Lindl. 1. c. Scape a foot or two high;
pedicels numerous, an inch long; perianth light blue, an
inch long; anthers oblong, a line long, the lower sessile in
the throat opposite the outer segments, the upper on the
inner segments on a short, free filament which is winged
below. — Milla, Baker 1. c. 380; Brodkm, Torr. Stansb. Rep.
397; Brodiaxt Douglasii, Wats. 1. c.
From Oregon and Washington Territory eastward to
northern Utah and western Wyoming. .
T. HowELLii. Scape 2 feet high, or more; umbel and
perianth as in the first species, filaments of the lower stamens
very short and deltoid, those of the upper a line and a half
long, and winged broadly, the wing truncate or retuse, or
nearly rounded above. — Brodkca, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad.
xiv. 301.
First collected in Oregon, by Mr. Eddy, 1871; more recent
specimens are those from Washington Territory, collected
by Mr. Howell; and from these Mr. Watson defined the
sj)ecies.
• "^"^ Periardh turbinate, attenuate at base. — Seubertia.
T. CANDIDA. Scape 2 — 4 feet high; umbel 6 — 10-flowered;
perianth an inch and a half long, shining white with 6 green
140 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
veins on the outside, segments equaling the tube; filaments
with a slender free part which is 2^ lines long and coiled
almost or quite into a ring; anthers oblong, a line in length,
obtuse at each end, fixed exactly in the middle; ovary half
exserted from the throat of the perianth, on a slender stipe
8 lines long; style slender, 2 lines long, somewhat incurved;
cells of capsule about 6-seeded.
Foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada back of Fresno, June,
1886. Mr. J. E. Scupham. A beautiful species, related to
the next, but very distinct, with its snow-white, green- veined
perianth and coiled filaments.
T. LAXA, Benth. Scape about two feet high, rigid and
stoutish: umbel 10 — 30-flowered: perianth an inch and a
half long, from light to dark violet, cleft to the middle: fila-
ments free for a line's length ; anthers OA^ate-lanceolate Avith
a 2-lobed base, fixed below the middle and borne erect:
ovary on a slender stipe a half-inch long. — Hort. Trans, n.
s. i. 413, 1. 15; Lindl. Bot. Keg. t. 1685; Hook. & Arn. Bot.
Beech. 401: Seubertia, Kunth. 1. c. ; Wood, 1. c. : Milla, Baker,
1. c: Brodicea, Watson, 1. c.
Very common in the central parts of California, flowering
in May and June, the most showy aud beautiful species of
the whole alliance.
T. PEDUNCULARis, Lindl. Scape 1 — 3 feet high: umbel
15 — 35-flowered, the pedicels greatly elongated, often 6 — 10
inches long: perianth pale rose-purj)le or nearly white,
about an inch long, cleft below the middle, the segments
wide-spread : stamens and pistil nearly" as in the last species,
but the anthers nearly linear, with retuse apex. — Bot. Beg.
t. 1685; Hook. & Arn. 1. c. 401; Kunth. 1. c. 469: Blillo,
Baker, 1. c. : Broduea, Watson, I.e.
From Point Tiburon, near San Francisco, northward to
Lake and Mendocino Counties, also in the Sacramento
Yalley, growing in moist springy places, and later in its
flowering than the other species.
GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODUEA. 141
T. Bridgesii. Scape rather slender, a foot or more in
height: umbel few-flowered: perianth as in T. Icixa, but
with a more slender tube, stamens in one row, the free por-
tions of the filaments dilated downwards. — Brodicea, Wat-
son, L c.
A well-marked species, of somewhat limited range, a23pa-
rentlj. We have it only from near Chico (Mrs. Bidweli),
and from near the coast in Humboldt County (Mr. C. C.
Marshall).
T. Lemmon^. Scape a foot high: pedicels an inch long:
perianth deep orange, 4 — 5 lines long, segments twice the
length of the tube: filaments stout, terete, nearly equal, in-
serted at the mouth of the tube; anthers 1 — IJ lines long:
ovary short-stipitate. — Brodicea^ Watson, Proc. Am. Acad.
XX. 376.
Mountains of the northern part of Arizona.
T. CROCEA. Scape a foot or more in height: pedicels
6 — 15, slender, an inch or two long: perianth yellow, 7 — 9
lines long, cleft, below the middle: anthers oblong, less
than a line long, obtuse at each end, the lower nearly sessile
on the tube, the upper borne on a free filament reaching
the middle of the segment : ovary on a slender stipe 2 lines
long.—Suhertia, Wood. 1. c. 172: Milla, Baker, L c. 384:
Brodicea, Watson, 1. c.
Known only from the extreme northern part of California.
T. GRACILIS. Half as large as the last species, the leaf
usually solitary, pedicels more numerous: perianth yellow,
cleft below the middle: filaments subequal, the free part
much elongated, carrying the sagittate acute anthers above
midway of the segments: ovary as in the preceding. — Bro-
dicea, Watson, 1. c.
Common in pine woods of the Sierra Nevada, from Plu-
mas to Merced Counties. Collected by Mrs. Austin, Mrs.
Curran, Dr. Kellogg, Mr. Sonne, and others.
11.— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 13, 1886,
142 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
^^'* Perianth tube short, the segments rotate -spreading,
filaments hdoiv coalescent luith the short perianth-tuhe, free and
broadly appendaged above it. — Calliprora.
T. ixioiDES. Scape i — 2 feet high: leaves 1 or 2: fiUi-
ments of two lengths but all bifurcate at apex, the oblong
anther inserted on a central cusp: color light yellow, or the
anther only sometimes bluish. — Ornithogalum, Ait. f. Hort.
Kew ii. 257: Milla, Baker, 1. c. 383: Brod'mn, AVatson, 1. c. :
Calliprora lutea, Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 1590; Hook. Bot. Mag.
t. 3588; Kunth, 1. c. 476; Hook & Arn. 1. c. 400.
Common from the southern portions of the State to Or-
egon.
T. LUGENS. Like the preceding in size and habit; append-
ages of the filaments rounded, not bifurcate, at apex : peri-
anth deep saffron color within, exteriorly the entire tube
and the broad midvein of the segments brownish black.
Collected only by the writer, on mountain summits back
of Vacaville, May 4, 1886.
■^«-5(-K- Perianth open-campanidate, cleft below the middle, seg-
ments not rotate-spreading. — Hesperoscordum.
T. HYACiNTHiNA. Scape a foot or two high : pedicels 5—20,
slender: perianth 5 — 8 lines long, white with green veins,
or sometimes tinged with purple: stamens in one row; fila-
ments deltoid-dilated and monadelphous below, attenuate
above and tipped with a small ovate-oblong anther : capsule
short-stipitate. — Hesperoscordum hyacinthiniim, Lindl. Bot.
Reg. t. 1293; H. lacteum, Lindl. 1. c. t. 1639; Wood, 1. c;
H. Leivisii, Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. ii. 185, t. 198; H. hyacinth-
inum and H. lacteum, Kunth. 1. c. 464: 31illa hyacinthina,
Baker, 1. c. 385: Brodicea lactea, Watson, 1. c. : Allium lac-
teum, Benth. PI. Hartw. 339; A. Tilingi, Regel. All. Mon.
124.
From middle California to British Columbia; affecting
moist grounds, flowering in May and June. The var. lila-
GENERA CONFUSED TNDER BRODI.EA. 143
cina, Watson, said to inhabit MeDdocino and Humboldt
counties in this State, is not known to me nnless it be the
following very distinct species.
T. LILACINA. Scape less than a foot high: pedicels 10—15:
perianth a half inch long, lilac-purple: stamens in one row;
filaments not deltoid-dilated or in any degree monadelphous,
coalescent with the tuba throughout, free above it, and
bearing the linear-oblong anthers more than half way up the
segments.
Amador Couuty, May 25, 1836, Mrs. M. K. Curran.
BEHRIA Nov. Gen
Perianth tubular, persistent, abruptly subglobose-inflated
and 6-saccate above the attenuate ba^e, thence more grad-
ually contracted into the long, narrow, 6-toothed tube.
Stamens 6 : filaments filiform, free down to the base of the
sac of the perianth, there abruptly dilated and united into
a short crown: anthers versatile, exserted from the perianth.
Ovary stipitate, 3-celled, many-ovuled: style filiform, long-
exserted: stigma small, 3-lobed. Plant with the scarious-
bracted umbel and slender, jointed pedicels of Triteleia;
scape apparently tortuous or twining as in Brodicea: leaves
and corm (?) unknown. The genus is dedicated to our ex-
cellent friend, H. Herman Behr, M. D., Professor of Bot-
any in the College of Pharmacy of the University of Cali-
fornia.
B. TENUIFLORA. Pedicels 8 — 15, very slender, an inch or
two long : perianth 10 lines long, the supra-basal sac 3 lines
broad, tubular portion hardly rnore than a line in diameter,
the ovate-oblong teeth about a line long, erect or slightly
spreading, brownish, apparently; whole body of the per-
ianth bright scarlet: anthers linear-oblong, a line long, ob-
tuse at each end, fixed by the middle, yellow : capsule ovate ^
a half inch long.
144 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The umbels are all we possess of this very beautiful and
interesting new ally of Brodicm. They are ticketed ' ' San
Jose del Cabo," which means that they are from Cape St.
Lucas, or thereabouts, but the name of the collector is un-
known. The fragments have been lying in the herbarium
of the Academy for many years, and I had supposed, before
opening a perianth that the plant would be a second species
^f Brevoortia.
2. Miscellaneous Species, New or Noteworthy
Helianthemum occidentale, Suffrutescent, a foot or
more high, stout and much branched; stellate-hirsute
throughout except the corymbose inflorescence, which is
more densely hirsute, with simple, glandular- viscid hairs:
leaves linear-lanceolate, an inch long, their margin more or
less revolute: inner sepals 4 lines long, ovate, acuminate,
outer linear one-half as long: petals 5 lines long: stamens
about 20: capsule equaling the calyx.
On a dry summit in the central part of the Island of Santa
Cruz, growing there along with H. scoparmm, which is com-
mon all over the island.
Ceanothus arboreus. a small tree 15 — 25 feet high,
trunk 6 — 10 inches in diameter, smooth, with a light-gray
bark; branches soft-pubescent: leaves ovate, acute, serrate,
or often rather crenate, 2 — 4 inches long, green and puberu-
lent above, whitish and soft-tomentose beneath: flowers
pale blue in a compound raceme: fruit not crested.
Island of Santa Cruz; common on northward slopes in the
more elevated regions. The largest known species, with
more ample foliage than is found in any other; always tree-
like in shape, with clean trunk and open but round head,
like a well-kept orchard tree; in this particular most unlike
any other Ceanothus.
LuPixus CARNOSULUS. Annual, not slender, 1 — 2 feet
high, somewhat succulent, finely pubescent, with appressed
MISCELLANEOUS NEW SPECIES. 145
hairs: leaflets oblanceolate, an inch long, obtuse, but with
a small, recurved cusp: racemes loose: bracts equalling the
calyx, the upper lip of which is deeply cleft: corolla 5 lines
long, deep blue throughout, keel naked: pods when young
strongly villous-hirsute.
Near the village of Olema, Marin County, April, 1886.
Plant with the habit of large states of L. nanus, but very
distinct, wanting the variegated or changeable petals and
villous-edged keel of that species; the herbage fleshy as in
L. affinis.
LuPixus UMBELLATUS. Auiiual, slender and much branch-
ed, a foot or more high, canescent with a soft, villous pu-
bescence: leaflets 7 — 11, only a half-inch long: peduncles
slender; pedicels elongated, bearing the few small flowers
in an umbellate cluster: calyx-lips narrow, the upper deeply
cleft: corolla 2 — 3 lines long, light blue: pods 5 — 7-seeded.
Island of Santa Cruz, 1886.
Near L. mlcranthiis, but distinguished therefrom by its
dense white pubescence, small, crowded leaflets and almost
umbellate inflorescence.
SYRMATIUM, Vogel.
Calyx campanulate-tubular, almost equally 5-toothed or
-cleft, persistent. Petals subequal, free from the stamens:
claw of the vexillum remote from the others; wings spread-
ing; keel broad above and usually obtuse or retuse. Stamens
10, diadelphous; anthers uniform. Style incurved. Pod
linear, compressed, rostrate-attenuate, falcate-incurved,
1 — 3-seeded, indehiscent, deciduous by an articulation of
the pedicel. — Herbs or shrubs with 3 — 7-foliolate leaves and
gland-like stipules. Flowers small, in few-flowered, bracted
or naked umbels, yellow changing to red. — Linna^a, x. 591
(1836): Drepanolobiis, Nutt. MS. cited in Torr. k Gray,
PL N. Am. i. 324 (1838): part of HosacJda, Bentham, Torrey,
Gray, and all recent authors.
In restoring this long neglected genus, I am not obliged
146 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
to rest it upon those characters alone, sufficient although
they would seem to be, which were indicated both bj Vogel
and by Nuttall a half century ago. The indehisc mt pods,
promptly deciduous at maturity, are so utterly and widely
unlike those of any Hosackia that I suppose, the character
being here pointed out, there will henceforth remain less
excuse than formerly for confounding the genera. It is so
manifest a character to any one examining the plants in the
field at the maturing of the fruit, that I wonder Nuttall, in
his field-researches, did not notice it. The generic name
proposed by him is more pleasing than that of Vogel, but it
came into publicity after Si/rnicitittin. It is therefore now
of little importance that the authors of the Flora of North
America, in the place referred to, did not make unmodified
use of Nuttall's manuscript of Drepaaolohu^, but only em-
ployed his names and descriptions, referring the species
generically to Hosackia.. The goodly number which have
been newly discovered in later years have all come out
under that name, excepting the three herein first described.
Full descriptions of all the rest are to be found in either
the Botany of California or the Bulletins of the California
Academy, that of each under the specific name here adopted.
S. DENDROID EUM. Shrubby, erect, 4—7 feet high, with
roughish brown stem an inch or two in thickness, and many
short ascending branches: branchlets angular, their growing-
parts more or less minutely appressed-silky, the plant other-
wise filabrous: leaflets three, narrowly oblong, obtuse: um-
bels numerous, on short peduncles, not bracted: calyx 3 — 4
lines long, the triangular-subulate teeth a fourth as long as
the nearly cylindrical tube: corolla 4 — 6 lines long: pod
J-inch long, slightly curved, 3-seeded: seeds terete and
straight.
Hill tops, among other bushes, on the higher parts of
Santa Cruz Island. Near S. glabram, but of entirely differ-
ent habit, with much larger flowers and fruit, on short,
rigid, crowded branchlets.
MISCELLANEOUS NEW SPECIES. 147
' S. PxiTENS. Shrubby, like tlie preceding, but the stem
low, and branches spreading horizontally; silvery-canescent
throughout: leaflets 4 — 5, obovate-oblong. rather acute:
umbels numerous, sessile, bractless: corolla as in the last
species; calyx with very short teeth: pod 6 — S lines long,
the short 1 — 2-seeded body nearly equalled by the slender,
nearly straight beak.
Island of San Miguel, in the Canon del Mar, but more
abundant on the summit of the islet known as Gull Island,
a mile or more off the shore. Of very different aspect as
compared with its kindred species of Santa Cruz; and there
is a difference of another kind quite as striking as any men-
tioned in the specific character. The Santa Cruz species
was in full fruit at the begining of July. That of San
Miguel was just well in flower two and a half months later:
and the two islands are not more than forty miles apart.
S. GLABRUM, Vogel, Linufea, x. 591. — Hjsackia, Torr. Bot.
Wilkes Exp. 274; Watson, Bot. Cal. i. 137: Drepanolohus
scoparius and D. crass i/olius, Nutt. in Torr. & Gray, Fl. N.
Am. i. 325.
S. CYTisoiDES. — HosACKiA, Benth. Trans. Linn. Soc. xvii.
366; Torr. & Gray, 1. c. 324; Watson, 1. c. 133: Drepano-
lohus, Nutt, 1. c.
S. JUNCEUM. — Hosackia, Benth. 1. c. ; Torr. & Gray, 1, c.
325; W^atson, 1. c. : Drepanolohus, Nutt. 1. c.
S. PROSTPtATUM. — Drepanolohus, Nutt. 1. c: Hosackia decum-
hens, var. glahriuscula. Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech. 137; H.
IDTOstrata, Watson, 1. c.
S. MiCRANTHUM. — Drepanolol)us, Nutt. 1. c. : Hosackia, Wat-
son, 1. c.
S. SERICEUM. — Hosackia, Benth. 1. c; Torr. <fe Gray, 1. c;
W atson, 1. c.
S. ARGOPHYLLUM. — Hosttckia, Gray, PI. Thurb. 316; Wat.
148 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
son, 1. c. ; H. argentea, Kellogg, Proc. Cal. Acad. iii. 38,
fig. 8.
S. PROCUMBENS. — HoscLcMa, Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad. i. 82.
S. Yeatchii. — Hosaclda, Greene, 1. c. 83.
S. Ornithopus. — Hosackia, Greene, 1. c. 185.
S. DISTICHUM. — Hosackia, Greene, 1. c. 186.
S. DECUMBENs. — HosacJda, Benth, 1. c; Hook. Fl. Bor-
Am. i. 34; Torr. <fe Gray, 1. c. 324; Watson, 1. c. 138, excl.
var. (?) Nevadensis: Drepanolobus, Nutt. 1. c.
S. Nevadense. Annual, diffusely procumbent, tlie slender
branches 1 — 3 feet long: sparingly villous or somewhat
tomentose: leaflets 3 — 5, small, cuneate-obovate: umbel on
a short peduncle and with a unif oliolate nearly sessile bract :
calj^x a line long, the slender teeth a half -line : pod 2| lines,
strongly incurved, yielding a single curved seed. — Hosackia
decumhens, var. (?) Nevadensis, Watson, 1. c.
Common from Donner Lake and Yosemite to the eastern
borders of Nevada.
S. TOMENTOSUM, Yogel, 1. c. — Hosackia, Hook. & Arn. 1. c.
137; Torr. & Gray, 1. c; Watson, 1. c. 139: BrejMnolobas
lanatus, Nutt. 1. c.
S. Heermanni. — Hosackia, Dur. & Hilg. Pac. E. Kep. v.
6. t. 4; Watson, 1. c.
S. NIVEUM. Suffrutescent, a foot high, white, with a villous-
tomentose pubescence: leaflets 5, obovate or oval, acute:
flowers capitate, the head nearly sessile, bractless; corolla
4 lines long, little exceeding the calyx of which the equal,
filiform teeth are as long as the turbinate tube : pod 1-seeded,
very short, wholly included in the calyx.
Island of Santa Cruz on exposed rocky slopes, but nearly
extinct. The few specimens collected do not at all indicate
the shrubby character of the species; for they are young
seedling plants of perhaps the second year, just beginning
MISCELLANEOUS NEW SPECIES. 149
to show their first flowers, and were found in the sandy
moist bed of a deep ravine, out of reaoh of the sheep. The
remnants of a few of the parent shrubby plants were after-
wards discovered on the rocky summit above.
Heuchera maxima. Caulescent, the stout, fleshy decum-
bent branches 1 — 2 feet long and nearly an inch thick, leafy
throughout: leaves round-cordate, 3 — 6 inches in diameter,
with 5 shallow lobes and large rounded, but abruptly slen-
der-pointed teeth: petioles and leafy peduncles stout, of
about equal length, hirsute : thyrsus narrow, 8 — '12 inches
long : calyx white, 3 lines long, acute at base : petals minute,
white.
Rocky steeps near the sea, on the northward slope of
Santa Cruz Island. An enormous species of Heuchera, the
stout caudex-like stems more or less reclining, often fully
two feet long, and many of them from the same root; simple
or with suberect branches, all having numerous axillary,
leafy peduncles which are rather short, the thyrsus alone
rising higher than the leaves.
Lyoxothamxus ASPLENiFOLius, Greene, Bull. Cal. xlcad. i.
187.
Having been favored with an opportimity of visiting the
island where this interesting tree is endemic, I wish to add
here a few remarks concerning it. The fruit, which in the
latter part of July was found nearly mature, is assuredly
that of a Saxifragaceous rather than a Rosaceous plant, con-
sisting as it does of a pair of follicles rather than a two-
celled capsule : and so the opinion of Professor Gray as to
the ordinal place for the genus is well confirmed. But the
flowers are altogether indistinguishable from those of the
Rosaceous genera Vauquelinia and Heteromeles. The tree
is no rarity on its native shore. There are a hundred
fine groves of it distributed up and down the thirty miles of
the island's northward slope, individual specimens often as
high as thirty-five and forty feet. The wood, close-grained
150 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
and hard, is called ''iron wood" by the men on the island.
No other small tree of our coast equals this in grace of form
and beauty of foliage. The flowers, too, are quite sliowy in
their season, the larger corymbs often measuring a foot in
diameter. Plate YI is from a pen-tracing of a branchlet
and fruit-cluster made by Dr. Kellogg.
Galium buxifolium. Shrubby, two feet high, erect and
compactly branching: branches sharply quadrangular, the
uppermost subdivided into innumerable, short, slender,
ver}^ leafy branchlets: leaves coriaceous, evergreen, the
lowest in fours, those of the branchlets in pairs, all obovate-
oblong, acutish, tapering to a short petiole, 4 — 8 lines long,
sparsely scabrous on the margin and along the midvein
beneath: flowers unknown: fruit dry, minutely hispid,
short-pedicelled, solitary, terminal and axillary.
On rocky shelves in a deep ravine near the sea, Island of
Santa Cruz; also a single plant in a similar locality on San
Miguel. A beautiful species and a rare one.
Matricaria occidentalis. Annual, glabrous, scentless,
robust, 1^ — 2| feet high, corymbose-paniculate above: leaves
2— ;3-pinnately dissected into linear segments: heads discoid,
6 — 8 lines high, bracts of the involucre oblong, a line and
a half long, scarious-tipped : corolla 4-toothed : akenes sharp-
ly angled, and with abroad coroniform margin a little below
the summit: receptacle somewhat fusiform.
In grain fields of the lower Sail Joaquin and Sacramento
region, collected by the writer in May, 1886, near Byron
and at Elmira and Vacaville. I have seen this plant in
earlier years, but was wont to pass it by unexamined, sup-
posing it to be some species introduced from the old world,
its restriction to cultivated fields of wheat and barley sug-
gesting the idea. But on inspection I find it a very near
relative of our American M. discoidea, distinguishable from
it, indeed, more by its different habit and size, lack of fra-
grance, and its late flowering than b}' any striking cliarac-
MISCELLANEOUS NEW SPECIES. 151
ters of flower or fruit. The better known species, common
in all parts of the country, and although a low and homely
weed, always pleasing wdth its delightful fragrance, is quite
past its season and nearly dead when the larger is beginning
to develop its large heads. It is, moreover, a puny dwarf
compared with the new plant.
B.ERIA (DiCH.ETA) BuRKEi. Erect, slender, freely branch-
ing, 1 — 2 feet high, slightly hirsute-pubescent: leaves pin-
nately parted into long, linear lobes: bracts of the involu-
cre 10 — 12; rays as many and conspicuous: pappus of 8— 10
minute, entire, acute pale^e and a single slender awn which
is nearly twice as long as the akene.
Near Ukiah, Mendocino County, common in moist fields,
flowering in June. Collected by Mr. J. H. Burke.
Species well marked by its large size, and peculiar pap-
pus, although closely allied to B. Fremontl of the valley of
the Sacramento.
Cnicus fontinalis. Two feet high, robust, Avith widely
spreading branches ending in middle-sized, nodding heads :
stem and upper surface of the broad, pinnately-parted
leaves glandular-pubescent: bracts of the involucre imbri-
cated in many series, herbaceous, broad, squarrose-spread-
ing or reflexed, abruptly acute, wdth a short spinose tip and
no viscid or glandular spot : flowers dull white : anther-tips
triangular, acute.
At Crystal Springs, San Mateo County, growing among
the various springs and streamlets at the north side of the
reservoir from which San Francisco is supplied with water.
K rather surprising spot in which to find, at this late day,
so large and conspicuous a plant unknown to botanists. The
entire physiognomy of the plant, so to speak, is peculiar;
but its low stature and stout branches recall the common
C. quercetorum, which, by the way, is abundant on grassy,
stonj' knolls just above the springs. The ample recurved
bmcts are the most sino-ular characteristic of this excellent.
152 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
perhaps quite local, new thistle. The root is, as in all our
native species, biennial.
Stephanomeria tomentosa. Annual, stout, 3 — 5 feet higli,
paniculate above the middle, white-tomentose throughout
when young, the inflorescence glabrate : lower leaves spatu-
late in outline, runcinate-pinnatifid. upper lanceolate, nearly
or quite entire : heads 3 — 4 lines high, closely ranged along
the upper half of the virg ite branches, 5 — 8 flowered; lig-
ules pale pink: akenes ragose-tuberculate between the five
angles: pappus white, of about twenty distinct, fragile
bristles, which are plumose to the base and deciduous.
Central parts of the Ishind of Santa Cruz, but not common.
Malacothrix indecoba. Annual, diffuse, forming a mat
2 — 5 inches deep and twice as broad: leaves very thick and
succulent, oblong-lanceolate, pinnately lobed, the lobes ob-
tuse : involucre 3 lines high, inner series of scales linear-
lanceolate, herbaceous and green, the outer successively
shorter and purple: ligules short, greenish yellow: akenes a
half line long, 5-angled and 2— 3-striate between the angles:
pappus with no exterior bristle, wholly deciduous in a ring,
the bristles barbellate above, ciliolate below the middle:
receptacle naked.
Malacothrix squalida. Annual, 8 — 12 inches high, with
stout branches from near the base: leaves not succulent,
lanceolate, laciniate-pinnatifid, the segments and their teeth
acute: involucre a half inch high, its imbricated scales pale
green with dark midveins and tips : akene less than a line
long, angled and striate as in the preceding: pappus wholly
deciduous in a ring, the bristles retrorsely ciliolate at base,
barbellate-scabrous above: receptacle with minute paleae.
The two plants above described inhabit together two or
three execrable islets, nesting places of innumerable cormor-
ants and gulls, close by the northern shore of Santa Cruz Is-
land. Similar as to the technicalities of akene and pappus,
MISCELLANEOUS NEW SPECIES. 153
they are very distinct species, and, in appearance, not much
like their nearest relatives, 31./oliom and 31. insidaris of other
islands lying to the southward. They have not comeliness
or even cleanliness to recommend them, yet make a valua-
ble accession to an interesting genus; but the following-
may perhaps be reckoned a still more welcome discovery,
or rather, rediscovery.
Malacothrix inx'ana, Torr. & Gray, Fl. N. Am. ii. 486;
Gray. Bot. Cal. i. 434; Syn. Fl. 423. Scanty specimens
were obtained by Nuttall, just fift}^ years ago, on an "Island
in the Bay of San Diego," and no more has been seen or
heard of the species until this year. A Malacothrix answer-
ing perfectly to the description published is abundant on
San Miguel, the smallest and remotest of the Santa Barbara
group of islands. But I met with it first on the western ex-
tremity of Santa Cruz, where it w^as growing in small quan-
tity, on a shaded sandstone terrace a little above the beach.
Calais Clevelandi. — Calais Farriji, Greene, page 49 of
this volume, not of Gray.
Dr. Parry has shown me that my plant described in the
last number of the Bulletin cannot be the species so named
by Gray. I had entirely overlooked the statement of that
author, that, in C. Parryi, the awns are twice or thrice
longer than the palese; and I here dedicate what now ap-
pears plainly a new species, to my esteemed friend, Mr.
Cleveland of San Diego, who was I think the first collector
of it.
DowNiNGiA CONCOLOR. Slender, diftlisely branching, 4 — 6
inches high, minutely puberulent under a lens : tube of the
corolla turbinate, nearly as long as the limb, cleft from the
base of the upper lip one third of the way down; lobes of
the upper lip lanceolate, deflexed and appressed to the
sides of the tube: flower blue throughout, the central part
of the lower lip dark, surrounded by a narrow border
which is paler than the deep sky-blue of all the other parts.
154 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
In a wheat field near the village of Suisun, May 2, 1886,
growing with the common species, each plant forming a
compact, well rounded mass altogether intensely blue with
an extraordinary profusion of flowers. Tiie other three
species already recognized are almost impossible to dis-
tinguish, in herbarium specimens, but this, even when
dried, looks very different from those. Its cleft corolla-
tube is a new and unwelcome character, too much like
Lobelia.
TETEAODON SETOSUS. 155
ON TETRAODON SETOSUS, A NEW SPECIES ALLIED TO
TETRAOLON MELEAGRIS LACEP.
BY ROSA SMITH.
Length 12 inches (14 inches to margin of caudal fin);
depth, inflated, 6 inches. Head 4 (1|); orbit 4 in head.
Snout about 3 in head (measuring to front of orbital bone),.
the upper profile abruptly concave behind lip. Interorbital
space moderate, one and a-half times diameter of orbital
bone. The eye itself seems to be drawn backward from its
proper place in the orbit and has been stretched out of
shape in drying. Orbital ridges not greatly elevated, the
interorbitalregion nearly flat.
Body everywhere thickly beset with short, slender, stiff
spines, except around mouth, at bases of fins and around
vent; these spines or bristles averaging one-eighth of an
inch in height, their insertion in the skin not quite so far
apart as their height. The spines are nearly uniform every-
where. Some of them show no lateral roots, while many
are from two- to five-rooted, giving the skin a stellate ap-
pearance. iVbout seventy spines from eye to dorsal fin, but
the spines are thickly scattered without being in regular
rows. The smooth area about the mouth is two-thirds
diameter of orbit. The dorsal and anal peduncles are
wholly smooth and the caudal peduncle has spines only at
its base, which are recumbent and mostly imbedded in the
skin.
Caudal fin subtruncate, one-half longer than caudal pe-
duncle, the base of the fin entering twice in its height.
Base of dorsal fin two and a half times in its height; mar-
gin unevenly rounded. Base of anal one and three-fourths
in height, the fin rounded posteriorly. Pectorals truncate,
one-fourth higher than broad.
156 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Color dark brown, everywhere with roundish white spots,
most of them one-eighth of an incii in diameter, equal to or
exceeding the pupil; these spots coalesce on the ventral
surface, forming vermicular markings, which usually are
wider than the brown interspaces; the dorsal dots are nar-
rower than the brown ground between. All the fins simi-
larly spotted, though the spots are smaller than on the body.
No streaks nor black marks anywhere. Pectoral and dorsal
fins with a white edge as wide as the dorsal spots. Anal fin
very narrowly margined with white.
This description is made from a dried skin in fine condi-
tion which came from Mexico. The specimen is now in the
collection of the California Academy of Sciences, and bears
the registered number 2,996.
October 30, 1886.
NORTH AMERICAN COL COPTER A. 157
DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA.
I.
(With Plite VII.)
BY THOS. L. CISEY.
Eeacl Oct. 18th, 1883.
Uiidei' the above title it is intended to publish short studies,
either of species or small groups of genera, which may from
time to time be investigated in a detached and desultory
manner. Care will be taken, however, to indicate the rela-
tionships wherever possible and whenever these are at all
obscure, so that it is hoj)ed no confusion will be introduced
into our already overburdened nomenclature. Large and
complicated genera, or those in which the species are very
closely allied and difficult of recognition, will not be touched
upon except under very peculiar conditions, as these should
form the subject-matter of separate essays.
In this connection it may be stated that it is my intention
to include, if possible, witliin the faunal region considered,
the entire North American continent terminating on the
south in the isthmus of Panama and including the islands
of the West Indian archipelago, as this appears to consti-
tute a more natural region than that which is limited on the
south by the Mexican boundary of the United States.
The present paper contains descriptions of new genera and
species, mostly from the Pacific Coast, but with a few from
12— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. IE. 6. Issued November 27, 1886.
158 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
otlier portions of the continent; they are, in addition, prin-
cipally members of the clavicorn families Pselaphidae and
Staphylinidse.
In the latter family there seems to be considerable con-
fusion in regard to the estimation of the number of abdom-
inal segments, and having recently seen some remarks by
M. H. Jekel (Col. Jk. Eleuth. Bibl., p. 22-23}, which set
forth the subject very clearly and fully, I take pleasure in
transcribing them as follows : —
"Une autre cause d'embarras ties serieux pour las etndiants est I'insta-
bilite — ou plutot la non-concordance des auteurs dans reaumeration des seg-
ments abdomiuaux. Erichson avail parfaitement reconnu I'existence des deux
pieces du dos sitnees entre le metanotum et les segments normaux de I'abdomen
— visibles et decou verts seulement chez un petit nombre de groupes oil les
elytres n'atteignent pas rextremit(^ des epimeres metatboraciques — et il
avait prevenu ses lecteurs que, pour eviter des erreurs, il ne compterait les
segments du dos qu'a partirde — et avec — celui qui se presente comme premier
en dessous, et dont la contexture est semblable en dessus comme en dessous
aux suivants et fait corps avec eux, et offrant la meme consistance. En cela
il fut suivi— comme il avait e;e precede — par un grand nombre d'auteurs
recommandables. Plus tard les uns n'ont voulu compter qu'une seule de ces
deux pieces dorsales ' inter thoracico-ahdominales/ regardant I'une d'elles
comme un faux-segment a cause de son etroitesse et de sa consistance mem-
braneuse; d'autres lacomptent aussi, de borte que nous sommes en presence
de troissystemes, desorte que le segment anal est pour les uns le 6^ (la plupart
des auteurs jusques et y compris Erichson, Fairmaire etc), pour d'autres le
.7e (Kratz, G. Thomson etc), pour d'autres enfin le 8^ (Pandelle etc).
" Tout en constatant I'existence des deux pieces dorsales en question, —
dont la consistance est si differente de celle des autres segments, et qui ne se
detacheut pas du thorax lors de la rupture de I'abdomen — elles ne devraieut
pas etre comptees comme abdominales dans les travaux descriptifs des e?peces,
d'autant plus que les auteui-s qui les comptent n'en parlent jamais dans leurs
descriptions — et pour cause — ces minces filets semicoriaces, semimembrau-
«ux n'offrant aucune modification de forme ou de sculpture appreciables,
lorsque, par exception, ils sont decouverts par la brievete des elytres. Enfin,
meme dans ce cas, leurs analogues ne se presentent pas en dessous caches
qu'ils sont par les epimeres, le metasternum etc. Dans cette illogique situa
tion on se trouve avoir un ou deux segments de plus — selon la fantaisie des
auteurs — en dessus qu'en dessous de I'abdomen, 6 ventraux et 7 ou 8 dorsaux
ad libitum.
"N'eut-il pas ete preferable, pour la comprehension de tons, de s'en tenir
au sageconseil et a I'exemple d'Erichson, dont la jiidicieuse logique n'ame
nait aucune perturbation dans les erremenls anterieurs, bases Bur la parite
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 159
-des segments exterieurement appreciables et conformes en dessus comme en
dessous2 Que Ton nous prouve, comme qnestiou d'anatomie geuerale et
transcendante et technique des Staphylinides, qu'il y a 8 pieces, 10 meme
(Pand. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1869, 265) en d?ssus de Tabdomen, cela est fort
bien, mais ceci une fois etabli n'enumerons pas dans des descriptions qui
doivent etre claires et compr^hensibles pour tou^, et n'assimilons pas aux
veritables segments abdominaux ces annexes metathoraciques qui s'arrHent
ail niveau des epimeres da metasternum, et qui font corps avec lui
" Je previens done que j 'en reviens a I'ancienne methode, et que, quelque soit
I'allongement on la brievetede I'elytre, le compte des segments abdominaux
se fera dans mes descriptions, a partir du premier ventral et de son corres-
pondant dorsal, ce qui est la logique et la precision, que Ton ait affaire a un
Aleocharien ou a un Omalien."
These remarks fitly convey my own views and are similar,
in substance, to what I should have stated as a result of
study and observation. In all my future writings the ven-
tral segments will be counted from, and including the first
as seen from below, which is the real first segment of the
abdomen.
For an illustration of this structure the reader is referred
to the plate at the end of the present paper, Avhere the basal
portion of the abdomen of Hesperobium is figured in
detail. It is there seen that the first segment has at the
base a raised flat margin, rapidly diminishing in length to
the median carina, where it almost disappears. It is possi-
bly this raised margin Avhicli has been mistaken by several
authors for a small basal segment, partially hidden by the
posterior margin of the metasternum and the coxa3.
The true significance of the basal elevation is not appar-
ent, unless, perhaps, that it serves to form a closer joint
when the abdomen is drawn up, and still allow of a certain
amount of flexibility. That it is not the ventral portion of
the small membranous or coriaceous posterior segments
of the metanotum is abundantly proven by the fact, as
shown above by M. Jekel, that these coriaceous parts do
not project beyond the metasternum and do not in reality
form part of the abdomen; also because the other segments
are also provided with an entirely analogous raised basal
160 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
margin, and finally very" conclusively by the fact that these
margins also exist on the dorsal surface of the segments,
being practically continuous from the ventral to the dorsal
plate. The coriaceous segments mereh^ serve to connect
the abdomen proper to the metanotum, and apparently do
not even extend through to the under surface of the meta-
sternum, or at least one specimen — from which the drawing
is taken — has the first ventral so far exserted from the
posterior margin of the metasternum as to leave a very large
extent of membrane exposed to view, and no signs what-
ever of a segmental division are visible.
Another inaccuracy mentioned by M. Jekel, is in regard
to the measurement of length in the Staphylinidse, where
the abdomen is often extended, This is not, however, of so
great importance, as it is much easier to state, if the speci-
men be unique, whether or not the abdomen is extended,
than to make minute measurements of other portions of the
body. If the specimens be numerous, the lengths of ex-
treme examples should be quite sufficient for all practical
purposes.
As a source of ambiguity often observable in the Avritings
of coleopterists, may be mentioned the variety of ideas at-
tached to the word epipleuyxe^ in describing the elytra.
Pascoe has alluded to this subject (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
Jan. 1869, p. 2), and suggested a definite meaning for the
word; the notation here proposed is similar to that of Mr.
Pascoe, with a single exception.
The inflexed sides of the elytra — for which I would pro-
pose the word hypomeva — are generally composed of two
parts, the first bemg a more or less elevated lower margin
of greater or less width, and the second the remainder of
the inflexed side, usually limited above by a more or less,
distinctly defined edge, generally reflexed. Above this the
disk of the elytra is declivous, the declivity merging grad-
ually into the dorsal and central portions of the disk, which
are nearly always less convex. When the sloping sides of
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 161
the disk are very abrupt and more or less distinctly limited
by a line, as in many species of Laemopliloeus, they are des-
ignated as the plenrce, the word epipleurce being applied to
the second portion of the inflexed sides above mentioned,
and the word h-ypopleurce to the first, or raised lower margin.
This last has been called the epi pleural fold by Pascoe; but
in addition to the undesirability of two words to express
our meaning where one can just as well be employed, we
must consider the fact, admitted by the distinguished au-
thor quoted, that the hypopleur^ are not in reality folds at
all. In a few of my previous descriptions I have used the
word liypopleurtB to designate the entire inflexed sides or
hypomera, but In future the names here given will be ad-
hered to.
While dealing with kindred topics, it seems desirable to
indicate the perversity of the brain in interpreting the ima-
ges formed upon the retina of the eye in delineating and de-
scribing form. A good way to illustrate this is to observe
the letter S in print, where the two salient curves in the or-
dinary position of the letter appear to be of nearly equal
size; if now the letter be inverted, it will be seen at a glance
that the lower portion in its former position is much the
larger. In a similar way vertical lines appear relatively
longer than transverse lines, and this has led to many errors
in describing the shape of the prothorax; when the width
and length of the latter are equal, it invariably appears at
the first glance to be longer than wide, and is generally so
described, thus introducing an element of confusion and
doubt for those attempting to identify species from descrip-
tions. This defect can be gradually overcome in various
ways, but perhaps best by trying to delineate the form of
the insect; for those who have never attempted it, this will
generally be found a very difficult feat, and one requiring
several attempts before a satisfactory outline can be pro-
duced.
The short diagnoses usually given are purposely omitted ,
162 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
their place being sufficiently supplied by the first few lines
of the descriptions, which deal with the general form, color
and other similar characters, in conjunction with the gen-
eral remarks usually appended in large type. In general
monographic memoirs they are quite unnecessary, and
merely consume space which might better be occupied by
descriptive matter, because in such monographs or revis-
ions, the key-tables, which should always be given, amply
serve the purpose for which the diagnoses are intended.
It will be observed that the descriptions refer in all cases
to the single specimen assumed as the type. The diversity
of opinion as to the proper definition of a genus or tlie
structural difi'erences warranting the generic isolation of
special groups, holds with almost equal force in regard to
the ideas attached to the species which compose them.
Forms which some coleopterists would regard as specific,
are held by others to be simply racial, and by others again
as merely accidental variations not even worthy of a name.
This divergence of opinion must necessarily exist until our
knowledge becomes more extensive, and until an approxi-
mately complete series of specimens of all species can be
obtained from every region of the globe. I have preferred,
therefore, in the existing state of knowledge, to describe
one definite type and give such general remarks as may in-
dicate the variation exhibited by the material at hand; addi-
tional series may alter our conception of the species to a
considerable degree, but having a single typical description,
we possess something tangible upon which to base the sub-
divisions into races or definite varieties, as may be deter-
mined by such representatives. In other words, it would
produce more confusion than benefit to attempt to give a
general description based upon material which must inevi-
tably be incomplete.
It will also be noticed that the English language is alone
employed in descriptions and diagnostic tables. My rea-
sons for this course are, first, because I believe that the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 163
time necessarily employed in learning to write the Latin lan-
guage with fluency, in such manner as to be entirely certain
that our ideas are being properly expressed — and it is use-
less to attempt it without such knowledge — might be better
occupied in a study of the technicalities of the science, es-
pecially in view of the fact that there is probably no man of
even moderate education possessing a good knowledge of
Latin, who cannot at least understand descriptions drawn
up in the three languages — French, German or English.
Again, supposing a student to be ignorant of the indispensa^
ble triad of modern languages, it is easily seen that thfr
amount of information concerning a species which he can
obtain from the short three or four lines written in Latin
and forming the diagnosis, is simply tantalizing. Either the
entire description with all appended remarks should be
written in Latin, as in the Staphylinidse of Erichson or the
Tomicini of Eichhoff, or else the student must perforce have
a knowledge of these languages in order to read the descrip-
tion of the species, otherwise the most important part, as
far as identification is concerned, or that relating to the de-
tails, is entirely lost to him. Without wishing to be consid-
ered unduly iconoclastic, it must be candidly confessed that
the necessity for the latinization of the few lines usually be-
ginning a description is not readily appreciable.
When used with a moderate amount of care, the French
and English languages are very perspicuous and enJnently
adapted to concise scientific expression. The spirit of these
languages demands simplicity and conciseness, and they are,
in addition, peculiarly fitted for technical descriptions be-
cause of their power of absorbing words derived directly
from the Latin and Greek. In regard to ambiguity, there
are few who can maintain that they possess this undesirable
quality to a greater degree than the Latin, and we may go
so far as to say that tliey are far less ambiguous than a large
proportion of the ordinary entomological Latin of the present
day. The majority of our working coleopterists are com-
164 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pelled to engage in active pursuits, either professional or
commercial, which demand a knowledge of the three lan-
guages mentioned, and, if after acquiring them, these can
also serve them in the scientific recreations of their leisure
moments, thus rendering unnecessary the acquisition of a
special language for such jDurposes, it appears to the writer
that we have gained one very important point, since just so
much time and labor may be saved for useful scientific work.
Physicists, mathematicians, astronomers, and zoologists in
fields other than entomological, have long since abandoned
the Latin as a medium of publication. The leading mathe-
matical and astronomical journals employ the modern lan-
guages exclusively, and, although they appeal to a much
more extensive class of readers than do the entomological
journals, it has not been found that anytliing has been lost
by the change, but on the contrary, as they at present reach
a larger number of readers, such a course has tended to
more widely diffuse scientific knowledge, and to create a
more universal desire for its advancement.
This subject is, however, a somewhat delicate one, and
merits further consideration and argument.
The binocular microscope, with objectives of from two-
thirds to two inches focal length, is inevitably destined to
supplant the hand-lens in the future study of entomology,
its advantages being perfect steadiness of the object, suffi-
cient magnifying power to bring all the organs prominently
into view, and the healthful and unconstrained use of both
eyes, giving a stereoscopic effect; at the same time both
hands remain free for writing or drawing. To one accus-
tomed to this mode of studying insects under ten mm. in
length, an adherence to the usual method of research by
means of the hand-lens, where the eye is unnaturally
strained, and the images consequently apt to be distorted
and to convey a wrong impression, seems entirely unac-
countable. A long list of errors in describing sculpture
and formation of various parts of the body, owing to insuf-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 165
ficient magnifying power and other unsatisfactory conditions,
could easily be given, and in this connection it must be borne
in mind that it requires much more amplification and acute-
ness of sight and perception to discover a character or the
structural nature of an object than it does to see the same
after it has once been described. I allude to the use of the
microscope rather for original research than for cursory
observation and comparison, as these objects can be much
more conveniently attained with a good hand-lens.
As greater attention is being given to exactness and per-
spicuity in describing the characteristics of species, a
general catalogue of terms to be employed for the almost
infinite variety of sculpture, punctuation, lustre, pubes-
cence, form and color, should be compiled, each modifica-
tion being illustrated by reference to a particular species
wherein it is preeminent; the colors should be indicated on
a lithographic plate. Such a catalogue as this w^ould con-
duce greatly to uniformity in description, and therefore to
ease of identification of species; it should be undertaken by
a special congress of entomologists, or by some one of the
large European societies, and would be of great value in
systematizing the science.
In conclusion, the author begs the indulgence of coleop-
terists for errors, past, present and future. Having en-
tered upon the detailed study of our smaller Coleoptera, he
finds himself forced to rely in great measure upon the libra-
ry, wdiich, although undoubtedly a most trustworthy and
unbiased guide, is still more or less unsatisfactory because
of the insufficient and often erroneous descriptions of our
earlier authors. Under such circumstances errors are un-
avoidable, and he trusts they may be overlooked to some
extent, upon the assurance that his utmost endeavors have
and will be employed in seeking the truth regardless of all
other considerations.
San Francisco, October 11, 1886.
166
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The following is a list of the genera and species here
described or brought to notice :—
Hydrophiltd-e.
Limnocharis picea Horn.
polita.
angustula.
alutacea.
congener.
coniciventris.
S1LPHID.1:.
Silpba aeuescens.
PSELAPHIDiE.
Batrisus mendocino.
zepliyrinns.
speculum,
mouticola.
occiduus.
Bryaxis texana.
infinita.
Nisa n. gen.
Reicheubachia tumorosa.
tumidicornis
iuformis.
gracilicornis.
uevadensis.
fuudata.
Irauciscana.
Nisaxis n. gen.
Sonoma n. gen.
Oropus striatus Lee. n. gen.
convexus.
interruptus.
abbteviatus.
Actium n. gen.
Staphylinid.e.
Lomecbusa montaua.
Tacbyusa crebrepunctata.
AutaHa elegans.
Eumitocerus tarsalis n. gen.
Heterotbops exilis.
Ababactus pallidiceps.
Lena testacea n. gen.
Ramona capituhim n. gen.
Leptogenius brevicornis u gen.
Scopaeus rotundiceps.
truncdticeps.
Scopteodera nitida Lee. n. gen.
Leptorus texauus n. gen.
bicolor.
versicolor,
longiceps.
Orus parallelus.
Apocellus niger.
Pbla;opterus filicornis.
Ampbicbroum flavicorne.
alutaceum.
pilosellum.
veterator.
crassicorne.
Pelecomalium binotatum n. gen.
modestum.
Latbrimnsum bumerale.
Orobanus rufipes.
deusus.
TRICHOPTERYGIDiE.
Actidium rotundicolle.
Ptilium sulcatum.
Smicrus americanus.
Byrrhidje.
Ditapbrus scymnoides n. gen.
TENEBRIONIDiE.
Eleates occidentalis n. gea.
CURCULIONID^.
Barinus squamolineatus n. gen.
SCOLYTID^.
Renocis beterodoxus n. gen.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 167
LIMNOCHARIS Horn.
The species of this genus are probably numerous in North
America, although but two have been described; I now add
several other peculiar forms. The genus is apparently valid,
since in all the numerous specimens which I have examined,
there are clearly eight ventral segments, the eighth being
small and more or less retractile, so that, while in the type
of angiistiila it is nearly as long as the seventh and very con-
spicuous, it may sometimes be almost entirely withdrawn;
it is never entirely invisible, however. The labrum also
differs greatly from that of Limnebius as described by La-
cordaire, for in Limnocharis it is not broadly rounded, but
is deeply sinuate in the middle. The antennae have, as
stated of Limnebius by Du Yal, nine joints, the first two
subanchylosed so as to form a long slender scape.
The mentum instead of being strongly rounded, approaches
in Limnocharis more nearly the trapezoidal form, and in
the very singular L. co niciventris descvihed below, it is almost
perfectly trapezoidal, being transversely truncate at apex.
The eighth segment: of the abdomen does not bear a tuft
of hair, but has one or two terminal sette, perhaps according
to the sex.
The species of the genus at present known from the United
States are as follows: —
Sides of the elytra distinctly arcuate.
Surface more or less polished.
Prothorax very strongly transverse, at apex nearly twice as wide as
long picea.
Prothorax less strongly transverse, at apex less than one-half wider than
long.
Apical angles of elytra narrowly biit distinctly rounded polita.
Apical angles not rounded angUStula.
Entire surface more or less alutaceous.
Elytra at base slightly narrower than the prothorax; surface strongly
alutaceous alutacea.
Elytra at base equal in width to the prothorax; surface feebly aluta-
ceous; scutellum larger COngfener..
Sides of elytra strongly convergent, almost perfectly straight., conlciventrls..
ibO CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
L. picea Horn. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 1872, p. 144— A specimen before
me from Gilroy, Santa Clara Co., appears to satisfy the description given by
Dr. Horn for this species; it is, however, rather smaller and the prothorax
appears to be slightly less strongly transverse than shown in the figure and
described in the text; it is two-thirds wider thin long at apex and nearly
two and one-half times as wide as long at base.
L. polita n. sp. — Narrowly oval, strongly convex; black; legs and palpi
dark piceo-testaceous; upper surface polished, with rather long, recumbent,
very fine and sparse pub-'.jcence; under surface black, rather densely pubes-
cent. Head one-half wider than long, feebly convex, very feebly reticulate,
excessively minutely and rather sparsely punctate; epistomal suture trans-
verse, w^e 1 marked; last joint of maxillary palpi darker in color. Prothorax
at apex just visibly wider than the head, at apex broadly and very feebly
emarginate, two-fifths wider than long; base two and one-third times wider
than the median length, transversely truncate, broadly and very feebly sin-
uate on each side of the scutellum, and very feebly and anteriorly oblique at
the sides; sides feebly and evenly arcuate; disk evenly convex, very feebly
reticulate, very minutely, sparsely punctate, with a transverse row of dense
punctuation at the apex on each side. Scutellum distinctly wider than long,
sidts feebly arcuate. J5'/2/<r<x at base eqnal in width to the prothorax; sidts
strongly convergent and rather strongly and evenly arcuate to the apex,
•which conjointly is not truncate, but rather acutely rounded; each elytron at
apex rather acute and very distinctly rounded; disk strongly convex, scarcely
two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, finely and very distinctly
reticulate, more finely and densely so than the pronotum, not visibly punc-
tate. Legs rather slender. Eighth segment with two apical setae. Length
1.4 mm.
California; (San Francisco). Several specimens.
May be distinguished by its blackness, polished integu-
ments and elytral structure.
L. angustula n. sp. — Narrowly oval, strongly convex, piceous-bl ick; legs
and palpi dark piceous-brown; pubescence very fine, not dense; integuments
shining. Head one-half wider than long, feebly convex, not visibly reticu-
late, very minutely and sparsely punctate; epistomal suture very feebly ar-
cuate toward the eyes; last joint of maxillary palpi scare ly at all darker in
color. Prothorax at apex not wider than the head, broadly, very feebly sin-
uate, two-fifths wider than long; base transversely truncate, almost perfectly
straight, two and one-fourth times as wide as the median length; sides feebly
and evenly arcuate; disk not visibly reticulate, excessively minute ly, sparsely
punctate, with a feeble row of larger and denser punctiform subasperate ero-
sions on each side behind the apical margin, and, near the basal margin, two
small impressed punctures distant by slightly more than the width of the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 169
sciitelliim. Scutellnm very slightly wider than loug Elytra at base as wide
as the prothorax; sides strongly convergent to the apex, evenly and rather
feebly arcuate; apex feebly subtruncate, together rounded, each angle neaily
right and scarcely at all rounded; disk slightly less than one-half longer than
wide, two and one- third times as long as the prothorax, strongly convex,
finely, feebly reticulate, not visibly punctate. Eighth ventral segment large,
haviug two a^^ical setae; sixth broad y emargiuate. Length 1.3 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
This species, as may be inferred from the description, is
very closely allied to polita, but is well distinguished by the
form of the elytral apices; in addition the reticulations of
the elytra are finer and stronger in polita, and the punc-
tuation of the pronotum is less evident in angvstida. It may
be considered unwarrantable to trust to the conformation of
the elytral apices for specific characters in the Hydrophili-
dae, but in the present instance there is much more proba-
bility of both the typical representations being of tlie same
sex, than that they are not, for the eighth segment in each
is large and very distinct and is provided in each with two
equal apical set8e. Angustula is a narroAver and slightly
more convex species than polita, and has the prothorax
slightly less strongly transverse.
All the species of the present genus have the two basal
punctures and the two apical rows of asperities; the prono-
tum is, in addition, always very finely margined along the
apex and sides, but not along the base, the latter being ab-
ruptly convex and narrowly declivous to the j)laiie of the
elytra.
L. alutacea n- sp.— Suboblong, moderately robust, not strongly convex,
bla.;k, piceous by diaphaneity; legs dark piceo-testaceous; palpi and antennae
slightly paler; pubescence extremely fine, recumbent, not dense above; in-
teguments alutaceous, elytra scarcely more strongly so than the pronotum.
//eac? scarcely one-half wider than long, feebly convex, finely reticulate, very
minutely, sparsely punctate; epistomal suture transverse and very feeb'e in
the middle, oblique and almost completely obliterated at the sides; epistoma
with a small discal puncture near each apical angle. Prothorax at apex
slightly wider than the head, broadly, moderately and trapezoidally emargi-
nate, two-fifths wider than long; at base transversely truncate, broadly and
170 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
very feebly sinuate at each side, two and one-third times as wide as long;
sides evenly and feebly arcuate; basal angles from above narrowly rounded;
disk very broadly convex, finely reticulate and subgranulose; punctures ex-
cessively minute, rather sparse and scarcely visible. Scutellum very small,
twice as wide as long, parabolically rounded behind throughout. Elytra at
base slightly, but distinctly narrower than the prothorax; sides not strongly
convergent, evenly and moderately arcuate to the apex, which, conjointly is
obtusely and evenly rounded, not at all truncate; inner angles narrowly but
distinctly rounded; disk two-fifths longer than wide, two and one-half times
as long as the pronotum, moderately convex, reticulate and subgranulose
like the pronotum, excessively minutely and scarcely visibly punctate.
Eighth segment having a long, robust apical style, with one or two short ro-
bust spinules on either side. Length 1.6 mm.
California; (Mendocino Go. 1).
Easily distinguished by its wider protliorax and distinctly
alutaceous surface sculpture. The maxillary palpi are dis-
tinctly more slender than in the following species:
L. congener ii- sp.— Narrowly oval, rather convex, black; legs piceous;
13ubescence fine, sparse; integuments shining, very feebly subalutaceous.
i/ea(Z feebly convex, finely, evenly and distinctly punctate; epistomal suture
transverse, distinct, slightly arcuate and very fine near the eyes. Prothorax
at apex just visibly wider than the head; proportions nearly as in alatacea;
sides evenly and more feebly arcuate; apex more feebly and arcuately emar-
ginate; dis^k broadly convex, finely, densely reticulate; finely, evenly and
distinctly punctate. Scutellum triangular, apex not rounded, three-fourths
wider than long. Elytra Sit hixse fully as wide as the prothorax; sides con-
vergent, evenly and not strongly arcuate to the apex, which, conjointly is
obtusely and evenly rounded, not at all truncate; inner angles very narrowly
rounded; disk nearly two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, mod-
erately convex, more finely and densely reticulate than the pronotum, not
perceptibly punctate. Eighth segment with a long anal style and two short
spinules on each side. Length 1.6 mm.
California; (Mendocino and Humboldt Cos.). Several
specimens.
This species is closely allied to alutacea, but differs in its
more evenly oval and narrower form, its relatively narrower
prothorax, much more shining surface, stronger and more
evident pronotal punctuation, shorter, more robust maxillary
palpi, and particularly in the form of the scutellum. The
two discal punctures of the epistoma are slightly stronger,
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. I7l
and the transverse epistomal suture is less obsolete than in
alatacea. The sides of the prothorax are very distinctly less
strongly arcuate in congener.
L. COniciventris o. sp. — Oval, atteunated behind, piceo-testaceous,
paler beneath; leg« pale brownish-flavate; pubescence extremely fine and
sparse; integuments polished. Head not one-half wider than long, feebly-
convex, scarcely perceptibly reticulate, excessively minut'ely, feebly and
not distinctly punctate; epistomal suture almost completely obsolete. Pro-
thorax at apex about equal in width to the head, broadly, feebly, arcuately
sinuate, fully one-half wider than long; at base broadly truncate, very
feebly sinuate on each side of the scutellum, nearly two and one-half times
as wide as long; sides evenly and distinctly arcuate; disk broadly convex,
polished, scarcely perceptibly reticulate, excessively minutely, feebly punc-
tate; punctures somewhat irregularly disposed, very sparse. Scutellum
very small, more than twice as wide as long, triangular. Elytra at base
scarcely as wide as the prothorax; sides strongly convergent, nearly straight
to the apex, which conjointly is abruptly and transversely truncate, one-half
as wide as the elytral base; outer angles rounded, inner very narrowly so;
disk rather strongly, conically convex, smooth; coarsely, very finely retic-
ulate, not perceptibly punctate; one-third longer than wide, two and one-
half times as long as the prothorax^ Seventh segment broad, broadly
rounded behind; eighth having two equal apical seta. Posterior femora
very strongly compressed. Length 1.0 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
The labrum is more continuous in curvature with the
epistoma, and is consequently more prominent from above
than in the other species; it appears from above to be
transversely subtruncate or very broadly rounded, but when
viewed in prolongation of the axis of the insect it is seen to
have the lower edge rather abruptly deflexed, and broadl}',
rather feebly sinuate.
The general outline of this species is very different from
that prevailing in the genus, but it appears to possess all
the generic characters of Limnox^haris. It is decidedly the
smallest species described.
SILPHA Linn.
S. aenescens ^- sp.— Form rather depressed, elongate, oval, black; upper
surface with a bright aeneous lustre; legs and antennae black throughout;
shining; pubescence in the form of an excessively minute and almost invis-
172 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ible short set i from each puncture. Head rather small, constricted behind
the eyes; front feebly cunvex, finely and rather densely panctate, ii.ore
closely so near the eyes, and 'nuch more sparsely and finely so near the
apex and on the labrum; the latter very deeply and rather narrowly sinuate
at apex; eyes moderate, slightly prominent, much shorter than wide, verti-
cally oval; antennae slender, as long as the pronotam, first joint as long as
the next two together, second much longer than the third, last four joints
forming a rather narrow, elongate, perfoliate club, the last three joints of
which are rendered opaque by an excessively fine and dense pubescence,
eleventh slightly long r than wide, flattened, evenly and broadly roundel at
tip. Prothorax widest at the base, where it is generally slightly more than
one-half wider than long; sides strongly convergent thence to the apex,
broadly, evenly and distinctly arcua'e; apex broadly and feebly incurvate,
one-half as wide as the base; the latter broadly truncate in the middle and
thence slightly oblique and very feebly sinuate to the basal angles; the
latter slightly obtuse, narrowly rounded; disk broadly and rather feebly
convex, more strongly so in the middle anteriorly, narrowly and obso-
letely impressed along the middle, and more broadly and obliquely near
eaah basal angle; sides narrowly and gradually subexplanate, narrowly
mirgined with an elevated b3rder; surface finely and very densely punc-
tate; punctures round, deep, sometimes with a few smaller ones intermin-
gled. Scutellum very densely punctite; pubescence longer and more
dense. Elytra at base about as wide as the prothorax; sides parallel and
nearly straight, rather abruptly and broadly rounded behind, slightly trun-
cate in the males; disk one-third longer than wide, more than twice as long
as the prothorax, transversely and moderately convex, narrowly and ab-
ruptly reflexed at the side^; each with three lougitadiual, feebly-elevated
costae, with numerous intermediate and subtransverse elevations; depressed
areas rather coarsely and liot very densely punctate, interspaces finely and
strongly granulose. Legs moderate in length, slender; first joint of the pos-
terior tarsi fully as long as the fifth, and as long as the next three together.
Length 11.0-13.0 mm.
California; (San Francisco).
The sexual characters are as follows: —
Male — Last ventral segment transversely truncate at apex,
edge almost perfectly straight; anterior tarsi very feebly
dilated, middle not at all dilated, very slender.
Female — Last ventral segment narrowly and strongly
rounded behind, immediate apex narrowly truncate or sub-
sinuate; tarsi all narrow and slender.
This species resembles raniosa Say, but differs in its
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 173
aeneous lustre, much coarser elytral sculpture, and in tlie
sexual characters; both the anterior and middle tarsi of the
male in ramosa are strongly dilated. All the many speci-
mens which I have seen are aeneous above, and this appears
to be a very persistent character. The form is mentioned
by Mannerheim (Bull. Mosc. 1843, No. 2, p. 252) as Sil2^ha
cervaria, Var. b. It is also mentioned by Dr. Horn (Tr.
Am. Ent. Soc. YIII, p. 241) as one of the variations of S.
ramosa Say.
S. cervaria Mann. — This is apparently a valid species,
being represented in my cabinet by two specimens of un-
mistakably more broadly oval outline than ramosa; the
dorsal surface also exhibits very decided differences in
sculpture.
BATRISUS Aube.
Although this large and important genus is in a state of
comparative confusion, it is believed that the description
of the following forms is warrantable, since no species have
yet been described from California, and the possibility of
increasing our synonymy is, therefore, very slight. It is
true that B. alhion{cusA\ihe h.?i& been ascribed to California,
but as the locality is not mentioned by Aube in either of his
descriptions, this would appear to be more or less doubtful;
at any rate it is easily distinguishable from any of the spe-
cies here described.
The following species all belong to the group having tri-
sulcate and bituberculate pronotum, although in one or two
forms the median channel becomes almost or quite obsolete;
they also agree throughout in haviug a terminal process at
the apex of the posterior tibiae, and in the similarit}^ of the
sexual characters. The latter are well marked, and are as
follows: —
Male. — Abdomen more or less deeply impressed near the apex; terminal
process of posterior tibise short and nearly straight; intermediate trochanters
13— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 27, 1886.
174 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
dentate or prominent externally at apex; tenth autennal joint finely tnber-
culate, eleventh with a short, erect arcuate process at base, both projectiug
internally.
Female. — Abdomen, trochanters and antennas normal; terminal process of
posterior tibiae long, slender and contorted. Body smaller, more slender.
The funicle of the aiitenna3 is remarkably constant in
structure throughout the series, but the last four joints differ
in shape and relative size.
In this group the head is not materially modified in the
male, so that it differs greatly from a large and important
group of eastern species. From a direct comparison with
B. fovmicarius Aube, the type of Batrisus, it is probable that
these species should be separated as a subgenus; this has
apparently been already done by Eeitter under the name
Batrisodes.
The type of tlie European Batrisus is found, as its name
implies, with ants; the Calif ornian species are never found
in such localities, but are to be met with only in wet moss
or under stones near water-courses; although widely diffused,
they are scarely ever abundant, and are generally extremely
rare.
B. mendocino n, sp, — Moderately robust, convex, dark brownish-rufous;
legs same; abdomen and antennae darker, castaneous, the latter pale toward
apex; integuments polished; pubescence coarse, rather long, suberect, rather
sparse. Head moderate, scarcely as wide as long; eyes rather small, very
convex, prominent, at more than their own length from the base; sides behind
them strongly convergent and arcuate to the neck, which is slightly less than
one-half as wide as the width at the eyes, very feebly sinuate; surface impunc-
tate, slightly convex; on a line through the posterior limits of the eyes there
are two distinct, deeply impressed fove», apparently nude, connected by a
deeply impressed, strongly and evenly arcuate channel; antennal tubercula-
tions broad and prominent; antennae rather slender, distinctly lonr^er than
the head and prothorax together, club slender; basal joint rather robust,
scarcely longer than wide, apex deeply notched posteriorly for the reception
of the second joint when flexed; joints two to five equal, slightly longer than
wide, sixth and seventh equal, slightly smaller, longer than wide, eighth as
wide as the seventh, rounded, as wide as long, eighth to eleventh gradually
wider, ninth and tenth equal in length, the latter much more strongly trans-
verse, eleventh elongate, conoidal, pointed, Prothorax widest at two-fifths
the length from the apex, where it is as wide as the head, slightly wider than
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 175
long; sides strongly rounded, thence convergent and deeply sinuate to the
base which is broadly arcuate, nearly three-fourths as wide as the disk and
one-third wider than the apex; the latter transversely truncate; basal angles
slightly obtuse, not rounded; disk very feebly and sparsely punct;ite, broadly,
strongly convex, having in the middle near the base a very deep, nude fovea,
continued anteriorly to within two-fifths the length of the apex by a narrow,
not deeply impressed channel; on each side and slightly in advance of the
fovea, a rather large, obtusely pointed tubercle; al?o near each basal angle a
large, deej), irregular, nude fove,), continued anteriorly by a very broadly
and feebly impressed arcuate channel, and connected with th^ median fovea
by a narrow, extremely feeble, transverse line. Elytra at base equal in width
to the base of the pronotum, at apex two and one-third times as wide, sides
evenly, rather strongly arcuate; together transversely truncate behind, nearly
as long as wide; disk evenly, moderately convex, very minutely, sparsely,
feebly punctate; sutural striffi approximate, distinct; discal very broadly
impressed, becoming extinct at one-third the length from the base. Abdomen
as wide as and slightly longer than the elytra, convex, very minutely, sparsely
punctate. Legs long, slender; femora rather abruptly swollen before the tip.
Length 2.1 mm.
Calif oruia; (Anderson Val., Mendocino Co. 1.)
The male, has near the apex of the abdomen beneath, a
large, very deeply-impressed, fovea, wider than long, with
the anterior edge broadly and roundly sinuate in the middle.
There are two small, deeply-impressed foveae near the basal
margin of the pronotum on each side, the outer being at the
basal angles as seen from above.
B. zephyrinus u. sp. — Moderately robust, very convex, rufous; elytra
brighter; abdomen slightly darker; legs and antennne darker, rufous; the lat-
ter pale at apex; integuments highly polished; pubescence coarse, sparse.
i/eatZ about as wide as long; eyes rather small, promiuent; sides behind them
strongly convergent and very feebly arcuate to the neck; the latter broadly
sinuate, much less than one-half as wide as the width at the eyes; on a line
through the middle of the eyes two small, nude, very deeply, longitudinally
impressed foveae, connected by a strongly arcuate groove, the sides of which
are parallel in the basal half of its leng^ih; antennal tuberculations prom-
inent, coarsely punctate; antennae long, slender, much louger than the head
and prothorax together; basal joint moderately robust, subcylindrical, longer
than wide, eleventh joint robust, couoidal, very obliquely pointed. Pro-
thorax widest at two-fifths the length from the apex where it is fully as long
as wide, as wide as the head; sides strongly arcuate, thence convergent and
distinctly sinuate to the base; the latter broadly arcuate, three-fourths as
wide as the disk, one-fourth wider than the apex; the latter transversely
truncate; disk strongly convex, finely, sparsely, feebly puuctnte; near the
176 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
base a very deep, rounded, nnde median fovea, continued anteriorly by a
narrow, feebly impressed groove to within one-third the length of the apexj
slightly in advance of the fovea, nearly midway between it and each side, a
rather acute tubercle; between the latter and the edge a moderate, irregular,
deeply impressed fovea, connected with the median by a feebly impressed^
anteriorly arcuate line, and each continued anteriorly by an outwardly ar-
cuat:-, distinct, impressed channel; also at the bass near each basal angle,
two small, deeply impressed fovese. Elytra very minutely, sparsely punctate,
convex; discal stria in the form of a broad impression, becoming extinct at
one-third the length from the base; humeri longitudinally slightly prominent;
each elytron with three fovea at base. Abdomen very finely, sparsely punc-
tate; basal segment with two short, approximate, parallel carinse at base.
Legs long, slender. Length 2.2 mm.
Nevada; (Reno, Washoe Co., 1).
This species is closely allied to mendoclno\w(\. agrees with
it in the form of the elytra, abdomen and legs, and nearly
so in the antennas; it, however, differs in the form of the
head and prothorax, the lateral channels of the latter being
more broadly arcuate in the present species. The basal
segment of the abdomen in mendocbio has two very short
rudimentary carinee not one-half as long as in zephyrinus,
and the sexual characters differ; in the present species the
abdomen has on the under surface, near the apex, a large
deeply impressed fovea, as wide as long, which is emargi-
nate anteriorly, the notch being in the form of a very broad
cusp.
B. speculum n- sp. — Eather slender, convex, very dark' rufo-piceous;
legs and antennae paler, dark rufous, the latter paler at apex; abdomen pi-
ceous-black; integuments highly polished; pubescence rather coarse, sub-
erect, sparse. Head slightly longer than wide; eyes small; sides strongly
convergent, distinctly arcuate to the neck; the latter much less than one-
half as wide as the width at the eyes; surface feebly convex, impunctate;
autennal tuberculations not punctate; antennae long, slender, longer than
the head and prothorax together; eighth joint slightly longer than wide,
ninth and tenth equal in length, rounded, the former nearly as long as
wide, the latter very slightly wider than long, eleventh wider than the tenth,
no: as long as the three preceding together, conoidal at base, very obliquely
pointed. Prothorax widest at slightly more than one-third the length from
th^ apex, where it is as wide as the head, very slightly longer than wide;
sides feebly sinuate posteriorly to the base, which is three-fourths as wide
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 177
as the disk and one-fourth wider than the apex; disk strongly convex,
scarcely punctate; basal fovea large, dee^Dly impressed, rounded; median
channel very feeble, evanescent near the fovea, extendiog scarcely beyond
the middle of the disk; lateral foveas moderate in size, not very deeply im-
pressed, extended aateriorly in the usual arcuate groove, and connected with
the median by a tine line: immediately behind the middle of the latter,
acutely, feebly elevated or subtuberculate; between the median fovea and
base a fine elevated carina; on each side, at the base, two small, deeply im-
pressed foveae. Elytra and abdomen nearly as in the preceding species; the
former finely and sparsely punctate, the first visible dorsal segment of the
latter with two small, short basal carina. Legs slender. Length 1.9 mm.
California; (Alameda Co. 1).
This species agrees in general structure of the head and
prothorax with the preceding species, but may be distin-
guished from both by its much darker color and structure
of the antennal club; from mendociuo it differs in its much
more elongate prothorax and longer basal carinae of the
first abdominal segment; from zephyriniis in its shorter
basal abdominal carin^:e and smaller size, and from both in
the much more feeble median channel of the pronotum.
The basal carina of the pronotum is common to all these
species.
The above description is taken, unfortunately, from the
female, but the species is so distinct that there can be very
little doubt of its future identification, its small size, slen-
der form, dark color, narrow ninth and tenth antennal joints
and especially the very feeble median channel being its
distinctive characters.
B. monticola ii- sp, — Rather robust, convex, intense black throughout;
legs very dark rufo-piceous; antennae fuscous, very slightly paler, rufous at
apex; integuments polished; pubescence coarse, pale, suberect, not very
dense. Head moderate, scarcely as widaas long; eyes moderate in size, very
convex, rather finely granulate, just behind the middle; sides behind them
very strongly convergent and feebly arcuate to the neck; surface feebly con-
vex, impunctate; occipital foveas longitudinally elongate, deeply impressed,
on a line through the posterior portion of the eyes, connected by a very
strongly arcuate impressed groove; antennal tuberculations large, very
coarsely and feebly punctate; antennae robust, scarcely longer than the head
and prothorax together, club rather robust; ninth joint slightly wider than
178 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
long, tenth scarcely as long as the ninth, strongly transverse, obliquely trun-
cate throughout its width at apex, eleventh as long as the three preceding
together, very slightly wider than the tenth, ovoidal at base, much more con-
vex exteriorly than within, obliquely attenuate and obtusely pointed. Pro-
thorax widest at two -fifths its length from the aj)ex, where it is fully as long
as wide, as wide as the head; sides very strongly rounded, thence convergent
and rather strongly incurvate to the base which is transversely, very feebly
arcuate, but slightly more than two-thirds as wide as the disk, one-third
wider than the apex; disk strongly convex, very fiaely, feebly and sparsely
punctate; median fovea rather large, rounded, very deep; lateral smaller,
continued anteriorly by parallel, arcuate, broadly impressed grooves, con-
nected with the median by anteriorly arcuate and scarcely visible grooves
just before the basal tuberculations, which are but slightly elevated, more
abrupt anteriorly than posteriorly; lateral basal foveae rather distant from the
basal margin; median carina strong. Elytra at base very slightly wider than
the base of the pronotum, nearly as long as wide, strongly, evenlj^ convexj
very minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate; sutural striae fioe, deeply im-
pressed; discal broadly impressed, short, feeble. Abdomen shorter and very
slightly narrower than the elytra, convex, extremely minutely, sparsely
j)unctate; first segment with two short, approximate, parallel carinae at base.
Legs long, somewhat robust; posterior tibise distinctly bent; tarsi much
paler in color. Length 2.2 mm.
California; (El Dorado Co., !)■
The male has at the apex of the venter, a large, very ab-
rubt, deeply impressed fovea, slightly wider than deep, the
anterior edge of which is almost entire and transversely
truncate.
This species can easily be distinguished from any other
here noted by its intense blackness, shorter antennae, ab-
sence of median pronotal groove, and form of the sexual
fovea.
The species thus far described have two basal carinas on
the first visible dorsal segment of the abdomen; the follow-
ing has no basal carinse, and the elytra are much shorter.
B. OCCiduus n. sp. —Rather slender, strongly convex; body very uniform
in color throughout, dark brownish-rufous; legs slightly paler, rufous; an-
tennae fuscous, very slightly paler at tip; integuments very highly polished;
pubescence coarse, pale, very sparse. Head moderate, as wide as long; eyes
small, prominent; sides behind them very strongly convergent, strongly
arcuate to the neck, which is transversely truncate, two-fifths as wide as the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 179
■width at the eyes; surface broadly couvex, impunctate; occii)ital foveas
rather large, verj^ deep, but slightly elongate, joined by the usual strongly
arcuate, impressed groove; anteuual tuberculations rather prominent, with a
few sinall, widely scattered punctures; antennae slender, slightly longer than
the head and piothorax together, club rather strong, rapidly increasing in
width from the ninth joint which is slightly wider than long, tenth strongly
transverse, much wider than the ninth, slightly obliquely truncate at the
apex, eleventh twice as wide as the ninth, truncate at base, ovoidal, ob-
liquely acuminate, rather acutely pointed, as long as the three preceding
together. Prothorax nearly as in monticola; sides less acutely rounded
before the middle, slightly less strongly narrowed toward base; apex slightly
broader; basal tubercles more symmetrically pointed and more prominent;
median groove narrow, rather deeply impressed, continuing from the basal
fovea nearly to the apic il margin. Elytra at base as wide as the base of the
prouotum, at apex more than twice as wide; sides evenly, very strongly
arcuate; disk strongly convex, distinctly wider than long, rather coarsely,
very sparsely and feebly punctate; sutural striae deeply impressed, nearly
straight; discal very short, very b.'oadly and roundly impressed, gradually
evanescent at a little more than one-third the length from the base. Abdo-
men as wide as and much longer than the elytra, convex; first visible seg-
ment with three large equidistant, densely-pubescent foveas along the basal
margin; carina completely obsolete. Legs rather long, very slender; fem-
ora rather abruptly, strongly swollen beyond the middle; i30sterior tibiae
scarcely perceptibly bent Length 1.9-2.1 mm.
California; (Humboldt Co. 4).
Described from the male, in which the apical fovea is
large, slightly wider than long and rather feebly impressed;
the anterior edge is truncate and very broadly, feebly sinu-
ate toward the middle. In the female the elytra are slightly
shorter.
Easily recognizable by the very long, well marked, me-
dian pronotal sulcation, hv the short elytra, and absence of
basal carin?e.
Bryaxis.
This genus, in the broad sense indicated by LeConte,
(Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. YIII. p. 181), contains a rather hetero-
geneous assemblage of species, although the various groups
are clearly indicated. It will be noticed that there are two
classes of fovece upon which the subdivisions are based —
180 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
those of the head and pronotum respectively, the former being
made to serve in subdividing the genus Keichenbachia. It
will be well to consider these sets of fovese in order. ,
During a recent collecting tour in Texas, I secured a large
series of a uniformly flavo-ferruginous species of Keich-
enbachia, belonging to the group in vvhich the male and
female antennas are difierent in structure. These specimens
were all taken in a very limited area, and are without the
least doubt of a single species. The males have the fifth
and sixth joints of the antennae elongate and swollen; upon
the occipital portion of the head there are two small, widely
distant, spongiose fove?e, but the apical fovea is completely
wanting. The females also have the same joints of the
antennae elongate and slightly dilated; the head has the
occipital foveas exactly similar in size and position to those
of the male, and in addition a third apical fovea, similar to
the others and equally pronounced. The male above noted
was described by Dr. LeConte as tumida; whether the
female has been described as a trifoveate species is a ques-
tion requiring further investigation.
It is seen, therefore, that the presence or absence of the
apical fovea may sometimes be a sexual character, at least
in a certain class of species of which one is R. tumida, and
it is consequently of very little moment in a generic class-
ification, although the occipital fovete appear to hold a
very different position, and are evidently of more distinct
value.
The pronotal foveas are very important from a generic
point of view, since they indicate great and radical differ-
ences, which extend throughout the body, and are evinced
by peculiar manifestations of sexual identity. For in-
stance, restricting ourselves for the present simply to the
American fauna, — those species having three small, equal,
punctiform fovei^, are the only ones which are subject to a
very decided sexual modification of the antennal club.
Those having three large, subequal, spongiose fove^e are,
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 181
amongst those having occipital fovea?, the only ones exhib-
iting sexual modification of the dorsal surface of the abdo-
men; while those which have two large spongiose lateral
fovete and a minute nude median puncture are the only
ones which possess a sexual modification of the middle
joints of the antenna, although there are many species which
have the antennae similar, as there are several in the pre-
ceding section which have the abdomen similar, in the two
sexes.
Again, those having three nude pronotal fovete which are
unequal, are distinguished by a complete absence of occip-
ital foveae, and, considering the sexual modifications appar-
ent in other portions of the group accompanying such
decided dift'erences in the fovese, Ave might be led to expect
a peculiarity here also.
From Galveston, Texas, I have before me two species of
this section. One of these is represented by seven males
and three females, the other by three males only, the latter
having an almost impunctate head and longer elytral striae;
these have the first segment elongate, and the middle por-
tion of the dorsal surface behind its apex exhibits sexual
modifications consisting of excavations and minute tubercu-'
lations of the greatest complexity. The males of the first
species have shorter elytral stria?, a more punctate head,
and also exhibit sexual characteristics afi'ecting the dorsal
surface of the abdomen, although of an entirely different
kind. The first two segments are perfectly normal, the first
slightly elongate, but the third is very broadly and feebly
impressed, the impression having in the middle a tuft of
long erect sparsely -placed setae. The sexual characters,
therefore, affect the same part oi* the body as in Bryaxis, but
instead of being limited mainly to the first segment, it is
the portion posterior to this which is princijDally modified.
These species are, however, well distinguished from Bryaxis
by the presence of lateral carin^e on the lower surface of
the head.
182 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
In at least certain groups of Coleoptera. sexual characters
should be considered generic when they are evinced by
such radically different modifications, for these imply
decided differences in the methods of exercising the func-
tions pertaining to reproduction, the most important act in
the lives of these organisms, and are the outward signs of
innate differences much greater than those made apparent
by mere external form. From a biological standpoint they
are the most important characters which can be assumed,
and in the present instance have an unquestionable value.
1 have, therefore, drawn up the following scheme of
genera, the differences being indicated by characters which
are non-sexual, and which readily serve for identification
irrespective of the more important differences which have
been indicated above.
Head having two occipital fovere, not cariuate 1 iterally beneath.
Prouotal foveas joined by an impressed line Rybaxis.
Pronotal fovese three in number, generally not connected.
Fove^e subequal, large, all spongiose Bryaxis.
Fovese equal, s jcaller, punctiform Nlsa.
Foveae unequal and dissimilar.
Lateral large, spongiose; median small, nude. . . Reichenbachla.
Head having no occipital foveae, finely and strongly carinate beneath later-
ally.
Pronotum having small, feebly-impressed, lateral fovtae and a very
minute, more abrupt median puncture, all nude. Nisaxis»
Pronotum devoid of foveae; elytral striae obsolete^ '
Eybaxis Saulcy. — In our fauna this genus contains the
three species sanguinea Leach, conjuncta Lee. and Brend-
elii Horn.
NiSA n. gen. — There being no specimen of this genus be-
fore me at the present time, I cannot state positively
whether the head is laterally carinate or not, it is, how-
iLeConte— Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. VIII, p. 183.
2 The characters given for inornata Brend. indicate a very peculiar species
which warrants closer study than has yet been given it. As the occipital
fove» are wanting, it may be attached for the pres-nt to Nisaxis, but it prob-
ably possesses differential characters of generic value.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 183
ever, attached to that group to which it is probably most
closely allied. Msa includes but two species, luniger Lee.
and cavicorms Brend.
Reich ENBACHIA Leach. — By direct comparison with Euro-
pean representatives there is no a23i3arent difference in the
American forms.
NiSAXis n. gen. — Here the species are decidedly more mi-
nute than in any of the other genera of this group, and are
probably more abundant than hitherto supposed. It is
very distinct in its cephalic characters, as well as those of
the pronotum and sexual modifications. The discal stride of
the elytra are usually shorter than in the other genera, and
the basal carinse of the first dorsal segment short and widely
distant. At present it can include only tomentosa Aube.^
BRYAXIS Leacli.
The more salient characters separating Bryaxis from the
other genera here noted, besides the sexual modifications
already mentioned, are the comparatively large size, more
distinct abdominal border, the pronotal fovese and the very
large eyes situated almost at the extreme base of the head.
B. texana ^- sp. — Form rather slender, pale rufo-testaceous througlioiit;
legs concolorous; autennte aud abdomen very slightly darker; integiiments
polished; pubescence very short, suberect, not dense. Head rather small;
eyes very large, prominent, situated very close to the basal angles, more con-
vex posteriorly; base broadly triincate; surfac- feebly convex, impunctate,
occipital foveas situated on a line through the anterior portion of the eyes,
moderate, rather deeply impressed, mutually more than three times as dis-
tant as either from the eye; apical fovea very slightly smaller, more broadly
impressed at the sides; apical angles verj'- slightly rounded; antennae rather
slender, distinctly longer than the head and prothorax together, club rather
^The species described by me (Cont. I, p. 33) as inopia, has been considered
a synonym of this species in the recently published Check List of North
American Coleoptera. As inopia has two well-developed occipital foveae, it
cannot be placed in the neighborhood of tomentosa. If the compilers of the
catalogue are determined to regard it as a synonyn:, some more appropriate
species should be selected with which to combine it; it belongs near rubi-
cunda, although somewhat resembling tomentosa.
184 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
prominent; joints three to eight equal in width, nine to eleven increasing
uniformly and rather rapidly in width. Prothorax widest in the middle,
where it is scarcely wider than the head, distinctly wider than long; sides
very narrowly rounded, convergent and more broadly rounded anteriorly,
moderately convergent and rather deeply sinuate toward base; the latter
broadly, feebly arcuate, five -sixths as wide as the disk, one-half wider than
the apex; the latter transversely truncate; disk strongly convex, not percej)-
tibly punctate, broadly impressed before the base toward the sides, trans-
versely subgranulose along the base; lateral foveie rather large, deeply im-
pressed, at one-third the length from the base; median about equal in size,
less deeply impressed. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the prothorax, at
apex twice as wide as the latter; sides evenly and moderately arcuate; disk
distinctly wider than long, broadly and not strongly convex, more abruptly
declivous along the sides; humeri rather prominent; surface excessively
feebly and obsoletely punctate; sutural striae fine, deeply impressed, nearly
parallel; discal very fine and feeble, slightly arcuate, gradually evanescent at
slightly less than one-third the length from the apex. Abdomen polished,
impunctate; border strong; carinae of first segment very short, divergent,
distant by fully two-fifths the total width. Legs rather long and slender;
posterior tibiae feebly clavate, very slightly bent, veiy feebly and obsoletely
grooved exteriorly at apex. Length 1.3 mm.
Texas; (El Paso 1).
The sole representative is a male, exhibiting the usual
very marked abdominal characters. The first segment is
very long-, four-fifths as long as the elytra, and is almost the
only portion of the abdomen seen when viewed vertically;
its apex is rather abruptly deflexed, transversely impressed
in the middle; the edge with a small, rounded, very distinct,
median sinuation; remaining segments almost vertical, very
short, almost equal; second broadly and extremely feebly
sinuate in the middle ; surface anteriorly with a transversely
arcuate, impressed channel which is partially hidden under
the first segment, and which corresponds in outline with the
sinuation of the first; remaining segments not sensibly mod-
ified. The apical margins of the first and second segments
are abruptly thinner.
This species probably belongs to the Belfragei type, but
the description of that species will not apply to this.
B. infinita n. sp. — Form slightly robust. dark rufo-castaneous; head black-
ish; elytra rufous, darker at base and apex; antennae and legs coucolorous,
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 185
dark fuscous; integuments polished; pubescence rather coarse, very short
and rather dense. Head moderate, much wider than long; eyes very large,
prominent; base broadly truncate; surface feebly convex, scarcely percej)ti-
bly punctate; occipital foveas rather large, feebly impressed, on a line
through the anterior margins of the eyes, mutually two and one-half times as
distant as either from the eye; apical equal in size, feebly impressed; sur-
face between the antenufc gradually declivous: antennte somewhat robust,
distinctly longer than the head and prothorax together, club rather promi-
nent; basal joint feebly dilated, slightly longer than wide, second slightly
smaller, louger than wide, subcylindrical, third slightly shorter, slightly
obconical, distinctly longer than wide, tenth as long as wide, much wider
than the ninth, eleventh distinctly wider than the tenth, slightly elongate,
obliquely acuminate. Prothorax widest at two-tifths the length from the
apex, where it is scarcely wider than the head, nearly one-third wider than
long; sides rather strongly rounded, rather strongly convergent and feebly
sinuate to the base; the latter broadly, feebly arcuate, three-fourths as wide
as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; the latter transversely truncate;
disk strongly convex, scarcely punctate; lateral and medial foveae equal,
moclerate, the former more broadly impressed. Elytra at base distinctly
wider than the prothorax, at apex slightly less than twice as wide as the lat-
ter; sides evenly, not very strongly arcuate; disk slightly wider than long,
evenly, rather feebly convex, extremely minutely i3unctate;sutural striae very
distinct and deeply impressed, rather approximate, nearly parallel; discal
deeply impressed and distinct, becoming slightly recurved posteriorly, and
terminating abruptly at one-fifth the length from the apex. Abdomen fully
as wide as the elytra; border wide and prominent; surface scarcely punctate,
moderately convex; basal carinas distant by slightly more than one-third the
total width, distinct, less than one-third as long as the segment, almost par-
allel. Legs rather long and slender. Length 1.5 mm.
Texas; (Austin 14).
This species is remarkable amongst the American repre-
sentatives of the genus, in the complete absence of male
sexual modifications of the dorsal segments of the abdomen.
The male described above is very slightly more robust than
the female, and has the antennae slightly longer and with a
more prominent club, the tenth joint esj)ecially being
shorter and more transverse in the female. The type speci-
men has the oedeagus protruded. The lateral members are
seen to be two thin, elongate laminse, obliquely acuminate
at apex and having at the middle of the external edge a
small tuft of dilated membranous hair.
186 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
REICHENBACHIA Leach.
The species are numerous, as a rule smaller than in the
preceding genus, and especially distinguished by the rather
finer abdominal border and the dorsal surface similar in
both sexes. The species here described may be assigned
as follows:—
Head (^- and 9 with three fovese.
Anteuuse dissimilar iu the two sexes.
iumorosa, (umidicornis and informis.
Antennse similar in the st-xes gracilicornis and nevadensis.
Head J^ and 9 bifoveate.
Antennse dissimilar in the sexes fundata und frcmcisc ana.
The special relationships will be indicated under each
description.^
R. tumorosa n- sp.— Rather robust; color rather dark rufo-castaneous;
antennae coucolorous in the middle, paler at base and toward the apex; elytra
and legs paler, much more tlava^e, the former not darker at apex; pubescence
fine, short, not at all dense. Head rather small; eyes moderate, prominent,
very coarsely granulate, at nearly their own length from the base; front trans-
versely and rather strongly convex, almost completely'' impunctate, highly
polished, having on a line through the middle of the eyes, two small, deeply
impressed foveae, mutually three and one-half times as distant as either from
the eye; with a large, deep impression between the antennae at the bottom
of which there is a very minute, spongy-pubescent fovea; aj^ex strongly
declivous, angularly and slightly produced in the middle; antennae rather
short, robust, as long as the head and prothorax together; first joint mod-
erate, second smaller, subglobular, third wider, short, strongly transverse,
triangular, closely adjacent to the fourth, which is very large, stronglj'
transverse; joints five to eight, transverse, very rapidly and uniformly di-
minishing in width, sixth shorter than the seventh, eighth normal, eight to
eleven evenly, very gradually increasing in width. Prothorax moderate in
*The long, erect, stout sette, growing upon the lower surface of the head
are sometimes uulbous at the extremity, the enlargement being apparently
formed of a viscid substance which may perhaps be a secretion. If, how-
ever, this is the case, the setae are in all probability hollow tubes. It may
be this secretive matter which is so pleasing to ants, with which so many
species of Pselaphidae are associated. The same appearance of the setce has
been before referred to in a short paper on our Euplectini (Cont. II, p. 94),
although at that time I had not remarked the viscid nature of the material
forming the enlargement.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 187
size, widest at two-fifths its leugti\ from the apex, where it is slightly wider
than the head and distinctly wider than long; sides strongly, evenly rounded,
moderately convergent and feebly sinuate toward base; the latter broadly,
very feebly arcuate, one-half wider than the apex, which is transversely
truncate, and four-fifths as wide as the pronotal disk; basal angles obtuse
and very slightly prominent, not at all rounded; disk strongly, evenly con-
vex, polished, almost impunctate, lateral foveee rather small, not very
deeply impressed; median puncture very small; base finely margined, sur-
face immediately before it feebly impressed, the impression obsolete in the
middle. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the prothorax, at apes fully
twice as wide as the latter; sides eveuly, rather strongly arcuate; together
broadly truncate behind; disk evenly, rather strongly convex, much wider
than long, two-thirds longer th m the pronotum, finely, very feebly and
obsoletely, evenly and rather sparsely punctate; sutural striae strong; discal
strong, feebly arcuate, abruptly terminating at one-fifth the length from the
apex. Ahdomen impunctate, highly polished, rather convex; first segment
longer than the next two together, with two fine, very distinct carinae, which
are distant by two-fifths the entire width, nearly one-half as long as the
segment, and nearly parallel; at each side, near the border, and partially
under the elytra, there is a large spongiose fovea; between this and the
border a fine attenuated carina, two-thirds as long as the segment. Legs
long and slender. Length 1.4 mm.
California; (Sonoma Co. 4).
The description is taken from tlie male; tlie female anten-
na3 are normal, robust and scarcely as long as those of the
male. In the latter the terminal segment of the dorsal sur-
face is ver^^ broadly emarginate at apex, the emargination
being evenly rounded and nearly ten times as wide as deep;
the ventral segments are not at all impressed.
This species belongs near sagax Lee, but differs greatly
in the structure of the male antennae as recorded in the
original description of that species.
R. tumidicornis u. sp. — Form rather slender, piceous; antennas slightly
paler at apex; elytra bright rufous, base and apex clouded with a darker tint,
legs dark rufous; pubescence rather coarse, very short, not dense; integuments
polished. Head moderate in size; eyes rather small, very convex, coarsely
granulated and prominent, at fully their own length from the base; sides be-
hind them feebly convergent, distinctly arcuate; base broadly truncate; angles
narrowly rounded, not prominent; surface broadly, feebly convex, excessively
minutely, sparsely punctate; on a line through the middle of the eyes there
are two large, deeply impressed foveas, mutually three times as distant as
either from the eye; also near the apex a slightly smaller fovea, with the
188 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
sides more broadly impressed; apex broadly angulate; antennae as long as
the head and prothorax together; basal joint rather small, longer than wide;
second slightly smaller, cylindrical, slightly longer than wide; third small,
scarcely as long as wide, obconical; fourth as wide as the second, very
strongly transverse; fifth strongly inflated, transversely ov^l, more than twice
as wide as long; sixth slightly more strongly dilated; longer, transversely
ovoidal, slightly more acute inwardly; seventh widest, shorter than the pre-
ceding, apex truncate, very strongly transverse, more acute inwardly, more
than three times as wide as long; eighth slightly longer than the seventh,
one-half wider than long, obliquely truncate inwardly; ninth very small,
slightly wider than long; tenth slightly wider than long, distinctly wider
than the ninth; eleventh rather slender, pointed, as long as the three preced-
ing together, distinctly wider than the tenth. Prothorax widest very slightly
in advance of the middle, where it is slightly wider than long, very slightly
wider than the head; sides strongly arcuate, feebly sinuate before the basal
angles; disk strongly convex, very minutely punctate; lateral fovese very
large, rather deep; surface near the base slightly impressed and coarsely
punctate toward the sides; median puncture elongated longitudinally. Elytra
at base much wider than the prothorax, at apex more than twice as wide as
the [latter; sides strongly and evenly arcuate; truncate behind; disk rather
strongly and evenly convex, excessively minutely, rather sparsely punctate,
one-fourth wider thaii long, two-thirds longer than the prothorax; sutural
stride strong, nearly straight; discal very fine, rather feeble, terminating at
one-fifth the length from the apex. First ventral segment much shorter than
the next two together; carinae very fine, two-fifths as long as the segment,
distinctly divergent, distant by one-third the total width; carina near the
lateral border nearly as long as the entire segment; lateral basal foveas dis-
tinct. Legs rather long, very slender; posterior tibiae very slender, distinctly
arcuate and clavate, scarcely at all flattened. Length 1.2 mm.
California; (Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Cos.)
Described from the male in which the terminal dorsal
segment is narrowly and very feebly emarginate at apex,
the emargination much narrower than in himorosa, evenly
rounded, about eight times as wide as deep; ventral seg-
ments not impressed. In the female the antennae are
slightly shorter than in the male, normal, club robust.
Very abundant throughout the region indicated. It be-
longs near alhionica (Mots.), but differs according to the
description given by Dr. LeConte in the structure of the
male antennae, and more especially in that of the posterior
tibiae which are not perceptibly flattened. The antenna
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 189
oialhlonica are described as liaving the '^ fifth joint dilated,
sixth larger than the following, rounded, 7 — 9, large, trans-
verse." This description evidently cannot be applied to
tamidicornis. One of the localities given by the above-
mentioned authority is Colorado; this is probably a mis-
print for California, as there is very little likelihood of
albionica occurring east of the Sierra Nevada Mts.
In the description of albionica given by Mannerheim (Bull.
Mosc. 1852, p. 371), the only joints which are described as
dilated are the fifth and sixth. In the present species the
seventh is distinctly the widest. The posterior tibia3 are
not described by Mannerheim as being flattened, but simply
dilated, which is more nearly the case in tiimidicornis.
There have probably been several species confounded by
the various authors, as these species do not appear to have
a very wide distribution, but are more or less local.
Although so abundant about Santa Cruz, I have not yet
found this species to the north of San Francisco, although
I have collected over very extensive regions, giving special
a,ttention to the Staphylinidae and Pselaphidce. Its gait
is rather more rapid than is usual in this genus.
R. informis n- sp. — Either slender, dark rufo-aastaneous; elytra bright
rufous, slightly darker near the apex; aatenuae and legs pale rufo-testaceous;
integuments polished; pubescence very fine, short aad sparse. Head mod-
erate; eyes very convex, at scarcely their own length from the base;
sides behind them feebly convergent and arouate; base broadly truncate;
angles distinctly rounded; surface feebly, evenly convex, excessively minutely,
sparsely punctate; punctures slightly larger and closer toward the sides; hav-
ing, on a line through the middle of the eyes, two moderate, not very deeply
impressed fovtse, mutually three times as distant as either from the eye;
near the apex a more broadly impressed fovea, with the pubescent portion
equal to that of the occipital foveas; apex declivous, broadly angulate; an-
tennae as long as the head and prothorax together, club robust; basal joints
moderate, second slightly the smaller; third slender, much longer than wide;
fourth small, slightly transverse; fifth slightly dilated, a little longer than
wide; sixth as long as wide, as wide as the fifth, obliquely truncate at apex,
joints seven to nine, very slightly wider than long, equal in width to the fifth;
the eighth slightly smaller; nine to eleven very rapidly increasing in width.
Prothorax widest very blightly before the middle, where it is very slightly
N\— Bull. Gal. Acad. Sci. II. C. Issued November 27, 1886.
190 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
wider than the head and slightly wider than long; sides rather strongly,
evenly rounded, moderately convergent to the base, very feebly sinuate near
the basal angles, which are obtuse, not rounded; base broadly, foebly, but
distinctly arcuate, one-half wider than the apex; the latter transversely trun-
cate; disk strongly convex, excessively, minutely, sparsely punctate, coarsely
so along the basal margin; lateral fovete rather small, not very deeply im-
pressed, at less than one-third the length from the base; median very small,
longitudinally, slightly elongate. Elytra at base distinctly wider than the
jDrothorax, at apex more than twice as wide as the latter; sides evenly, not
very strongly aicuate; apex trancite, feebly sinuate laterally; disk very
sUghtly wider than long, nearly three-fourths longer than the prothorax,
evenly, moderately convex, excessively minutely, obsoletely and sparsely
punctate; satnral stride deeply impressed, nearly straight; discal fine, dis-
tinct, slightly arcuate, teraiinating at one-tenth the length from the apex.
Abdomen rather elongate, convex; first segment not as long as the next two
together; b isal carinae distinctly divergent, separated by distinctly less than
one-third the total width, one-half as long as the segment. Legs rather long
and slender; hind tibiae not strongly clavate. Length 1.4 mm.
California; (Mendocino Co., 2).
Described from the male; the terminal dorsal segment is
more than four times as wide as long, very broadly, feebly
emarginate at apex.
This species belongs JiQdiT propinqua Lee, but is not very
closely related to any other described species.
R. gracilicornis ii- sp. — Kather robust, dark rufo-castaneous; elytra
dark, obscure rufous; antennae and legs paler, dark rufo-testaceous; integu-
ments rather dull, head and elytra more polished; pubescence coarse, rather
long, molerately dense, suberect, rather conspicuous. Head moderate or
rather small, much longer than wide; eyes rather large, very convex, at
much less than their own length from the base; sides behind them strongly
coarctate to the base which is broadly subsinuate; surface feebly, evenly con-
vex, not perceptibly iDunctate; having on a line through the middle of the
eyes two rather large and feebly impressed foveae, mutually more than three
times as distant as as either from the eye; apical fovea slightly smaller
but more widely and deeply impressed; antennal emarginations rather ap-
proximate, angular; apex slightly produced, narrow, declivous, with the sides
nearly straight and feebly divergent anteriorly; antennae very slender, slight-
ly longer than the head and prouotum together; first and second joints longer
than wide, cylindrical, the second slightly smaller, three to six each cylindri-
cal, slender, more than twice as long as wide, sixth slightly smaller, seven
and eight scarcely more robust, the former twice as long as wide, the latter
quadrate, ninth slightly more robust, a little longer than wide, tenth slightly
wider than long, two-thirds wider than the ninth, slightly trapezoidal, elev-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 191
enth one-half wider than the tenth, obliquely ovoidal, pointed. Proihorax
widest at two-fifths the length from the apex, where it is much wider than
the head and one-third wider than long; sides acutely rounded, slightly con"
vergent and feebly arcuate to the base, before which they are nearly straight;
base broadly, feebly arcuate, one-half wider than the apex and three-fourths
as wide as the disk; apex broadly, very feebly emarginate; disk strongly con-
vex, very minutel}^ punctate; lateral fovere large, feebly impressed, at two-
fifths the length from the base; median small, well before the base. Elytra
at base just visibly wider than the prothorax, at apex slightly less than twice
as wide as the latter, broadly truncate, feebly trisiuuite; sides evenly, not
strongly arcuate; disk broadly convex, finely, not densely, very feebly punc-
tate; sutural striae deep, feebly arcuate; discal fine, distinct, not deeply im-
pressed, terminating at one-tenth the length from the apex. Abdomen
rather short, moderately convex; first segment distinctly longer than the next
two together; carinae fine, distinct, nearly one-half as long as the segment,
feebly divergent, feebly directed outward at apex, distant by less than one-
fourth the total width; carinas adjoining the margins extremely fine, almost
obsolete.- Legs long and slender; posterior tibias feebly clavate, slightly bent
inward toward the apex, where there is externally a short groove for the re-
ception of the tarsi when reflexed. Length 1.3 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
Described from the male; the terminal dorsal segment
has at the apex a small semicircularly rounded emargina-
tion, nearly twice as wide as deep, the angles being acute
and slightly produced; last ventral segment very feebly im-
pressed in the middle.
This species belongs to the rahlciinda type of the genus
and should be placed near that species, from which it differs
in the smaller and deeper apical emargination of the male.
The external groove at the apex of the posterior tibiae ap-
pears to be a generic character.
K. nevadensis u. sp, — Moderately slender, piceous; elytra rufous, slightly
darker at apex; legs dark, browaish-piceous; aatenn^ slightly paler, rufo-
fuscous; integuments polished; pubescence short, coarse, evenly but not
densely placed. Head moderate; eyes rather large, prominent, at scarcely
more than one-half their own length from the base; sides behind them
rather strongly convergent and strongly arcuate to the base, which is very
broadly truncate; surface rather strongly convex, not perceptibly punctate
behind; having on a line just in advance of the middle of the eyes two large,
deeply impressed foveae, which are mutually two and one-half times as dis-
tant as either from the eye; between the antennae transversely impressed.
192 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
impression finely punctate, having at the bottom a smaller circular fovea;
antennae short and robust, not as long as the head and prothorax together,
club robust, second joint subcylindrical, longer than wide, slightly narrower
than the first, three to eight narrower, subequal in width, third, fifth and
sixth slightly longer than wide, fourth and seventh subquadrate, eighth
smallest, wider than long, eight to eleven increasing evenly and very rapidly
in width, ninth and tenth strongly transverse, eleventh slightly longer than
wide, obtusely and obliquely acuminate. Prothorax widest at one-third the
length from the apex, where it is very slightly wider than the head and one-
fifth wider than long; sides rather strongly, narrowly rounded, moderately
convergent and nearly straight toward base, just before which they are very
feebly sinuate; base three-fourths as wide as the disk, one-third wider than
the apex; the latter transversely truncate; disk strongly convex, scarcely
perceptibly, sparsely punctate; lateral foveae moderate, at two-fifths the
length from the base; median small, distinct, not at all elongate. Elytra at
base distinctly wider than the prothorax, at apex distinctly more than twice
as wide as the latter; sides evenly, rather strongly arcuate; disk moderately
convex, scarcely perceptibly punctate; sutural striae deeply impressed, nearly
parallel; discal rather strongly arcuate and deeply impressed, terminating at
one-fifth the length from the apex; together distinctly wider than long, two-
thirds longer than the prothorax. Abdomen moderately convex; basal seg-
ment as long as the next two together; carinas distant by two-fifths the entire
width, very short, distinctly less than one-third as long as the segment, dis-
tinctly divergent, nearly straight. Legs slender, j)osterior tibiae feebly
clavate, strongly arcuate. Length 1..3 mm,
Nevada; (Eeno, Washoe Co. 3).
The sexual characters appear to be very slight, but there
is apparently very little doubt that it belongs in the rubi-
cunda group of species. It may be readily distinguished
by the transverse impression between the antennae and the
ver}^ short basal carina of the first dorsal segment; in the
type these are scarcely more than one-sixth or one-eighth
-as long as the segment, but in another specimen which has
shorter antennae, and therefore probably the female, they
are more than one -fourth as long as the segment. The pos-
terior tibiiTB are unusually strongly arcuate.
R. fandata u- sp.— Moderately robust, piceous-black; elytra rufous,
clouded slightly darker at apex and base; antennce dark brownish-piceous;
legs dark brownish-piceous, femora more rufous; integuments polished; pu-
bescence fine, very short, somewhat dense on the abdomen. Head moderate,
wider than long; eyes moderate, at less than their own length from the base;
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 193
sides strongly rounded to the base, which is transversely truncate; surface
broadly, feebly convex, scarcely perceptibly, sparsely and very obsoletely
punctate; occipital fovere on a line through the anterior portions of the eyes,
moderate in size, not very deeply impressed, mutually three times as distant
as either from the eye; apical fovea entirely wanting; apex abruptly and very
stronglj^ declivous, having two small approximate ciliate tubercles; antennae
long and slender, one-half as long as the body, club slender; basal joint large,
irregular, second much smaller, slightly more robust than the third, the lat-
ter distinctly longer than wide, fourth smaller, subquadrate, fifth to seventh
slightly dilated, the sixth slightly the shortest, as wide as loug, eighth nar-
row, joints eight to eleven very gradually, evenly increasing in width, all
longer than wide. Prothorax widest at two-fifths the length from the apex,
where it is as wide as the head, distinctly wider than long; sides evenly,
stronglj'' arcaate, moderately convergent and feebly sinuate to the base; the
latter broadly, feeblj' arcuate, four-fifths as wide as the disk, nearly one-half
wider than the apex; the latter transversely truncate; disk strongly convex,
not visibly punctate except along the base; lateral fovete rather small, not
very deeply impressed, at one-third the length from the base; median rather
large, somewhat longitudinally elongated. Elytra at base slightly wider than
the prothorax, at apex twice as wide as the latter; sides evenly and rather
strongly arcuate; disk evenly, rather strongly convex, sparsely and very ob-
soletely punctate; sutural striae deep, nearly parallel; discal distinct, arcuate
terminating at one-fifth the length from the apex. Abdomen moderately con-
vex; first segment scarcely as long as the next two together; basal carinas
fine, slightly divergent, distant by slightly more than one-third the total
width, very short, about one-fourth as long as the segment. Legs slender;
posterior tibiae very feebly clavate, slightly beut; tarsi rather long. Length
1.2 mm.
California; (Sonoma Co. 3).
Described from the male, the terminal dorsal segment
being rather broadly emarginate, the emargination evenly
rounded and feeble, about eight or nine times as wide as
deep. The female is quite similar to the male, but has the
antenucTe normal in structure and slightly shorter; the vertex
also lacks the two ciliate tubercles, and the median punc-
ture of the pronotum appears to be less elongate.
Belongs near compar Lee, but is abundantly distinguished
from that species by the structure of the antennae and the
darker colors.
R. franciscana n. sp. — Form rather slender, black; antennae browuish-
piceous; e ytra dark rufous; legs dark piceous-brown; under surface black;
194 CALIFORNIA ACADExMY OF SCIENCES.
integuments polislied; pubescence fine, short, subrecumbent, rather dense.
Head moderate, slightly wider than long; eyes moderate, at less than their
own length from the base; sides strongly rounded to the base, which is very
broadly truncate or just visibly sinuate; surface feebly convex, finely, evenly
and distinctly punctate; occipital fovese rather small, feebly impressed, on a
line through the middle of the eyes, mutually slightly more than twice as
distant as either from the eye; apical fovea wanting; vertex broadly, feebly
sinuate above, abruptly and very strongly declivous, the face of the decliv-
ity bearing a transversely oval sensitive area of very dense, erect, short
setae; antennas rather short and robust, about as long as the head and pro-
thorax together, club somewhat robust; two basal joints, rather small, the
second slightly the smaller, third narrower, slightly longer than wide, per-
ceptibly obconical, fourth very slightly wider, a little transverse, fifth
slightly dilated, a little longer than wide, seventh and eighth equal, a little
narrower, very slightly narrower than long; joints eight to eleven uniformly,
rather rapidly increasing in width, eighth as wide as the seventh, eight to
ten wider than long. Prothorax widest at two-fifths its length from the
apex, where it is scarcely perceptibly wider than the head and distinctly
wider than long; sides strongly, evenly rounded, moderately convergent
and nearly straight toward base; the latter broadly, feebly arcuate, four-
fifths as wide as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; the latter trans-
versely truncate; disk strongly convex, finely, rather densely and evenly
punctate, lateral fovea? rather large, moderately impressed, at slightly
more than one-third the length from the base; median very small, near the
base. Eli/tra at base slightly wider than the prothorax, at ajDex scarcely
twice as wide as the latter; sides evenly and rather strongly arcuate; disk
very slightly wider than long, moderately and evenly convex, very minutely,
not densely punctate; sutural striae deep, nearly parallel; discal distinct,
arcuate, terminating at slightly less than one-fifth the length from the apex.
Abdomen moderately convex; basal segment nearly as long as the next two
together; bisid carinoe very fine, very distinctly divergent, distant by about
■one-fourth the total width, slightly less than one-third as long as the seg-
ment. Legs short and robust; intermediate tibiae short, robust, not at all
"Clavate, slightly thicker in the middle, having a large, robust terminal spur;
posterior tibiae longer, more slender, slightly clavate. Length 1.3 mm.
California; (San Mateo Co. 1).
The description is taken from the male. The terminal
segment is rather broadly and extremely feebly emarginate
at apex.
This species belongs near the last, but may easily be dis-
tinguished from any hitherto described by its colors, punc-
tuation and male sexual characters. The female probably
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 195
lias simple antennas and lacks the sensitive oval patch on
the declivity of the vertex.
R. dcformata Lee. — Three specimens of this species were
taken at Paraiso Springs, Monterey Co. The antenna is
figured on the plate; the abnormally large second joint is
excavated and coarsely punctured beneath.
SONOMA n. geu. (Euplectini.)
The following genus belongs near Faronus and Sagola,
with apparently much greater resemblance to the latter.
The species thus far described belong to the Pacific Coast
fauna, and were placed by Dr. LeConte in Faronus. The
diagnosis may be given as follows, the general characters
being those of the Euplectini.
Posterior coxse contiguous; tarsi with two equal claws. Autennfe rather
distant at base, feebly but distinctly clavate; first joint much longer than the
second. H-^ad slightly smiller than the prothorax, with three nude fovefe
not connected, the two posterior small, the apical large and very deep; geans
not at all prominent, rounded. Prothorax with two small discal fovere before
the middle, a very large, deep, widely dilated basal fovea, and one at eacli
side not connected. Elytra with sutural striae; discal deep and broad, short,
basal. First segment of the abdomen very short, shorter than the second or
third, coriaceous above, corneous beneath, without basal carina?; second seg-
ment having an apical transverse line of finely spongiose sensitive surface
which is interrupted in the middle. Tarsi rather short. Eyes well developed.
Body very depressed, linear.
The head is not carinate beneath, but has a deep trans-
verse groove just behind the mentum and maxillae. The
elytra are much longer than the prothorax, depressed. The
flanks of the elytra are norm d. The middle coxae are sub-
contiguous, separated by a very narrow carina.
The genus Sonoma is distinguished from Faronus by the
form of the geniB and the short basal segment of the abdo-
men; from Sagola Sharp it differs in its less approximate and
less prominent frontal tuberculations, and especially in the
structure of the antenn^Te, which are in Sagola not at all clav-
196 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ate; the three outer joints in Sonoma are distinctly enlarged^
forming a loose club.
The transverse areas of sensitive surface near the apex
of the second dorsal segment are analogous to similar
transversely oval patches previously noticed by me a&
being very common in the Homalini of the Staphylinidae ,
and they probably serve the same purpose in each group.
They have been noticed by Dr. Sharp in Sagola. Although
both the species of Sonoma before me have these sensi-
tive patches, I am not certain that their presence is con-
stant throughout the genus.
OROPUS n. gen. (Euplectini.)
Tarsi with two unequal claws, posterior coxse very closely approximate.
Maxillary palpi moderate in length, fourth joint rather elongate and spindle-
form, widest near the middle, bristling with minute seta at apex. Head
with two small occipital fovese, which are spongiose and connected by an
arcuate, impressed groove; antennae similar in the sexes; eyes well developed.
Prothorax with two lateral spongiose foveoe at base, connected by a deeply
impressed line, also with an impressed median canaliculation ; sides near the
base with a small, acute, reflexed tooth. Elytra with acute lateral margin;
each having four deep punctures at base, prolonged posteriorly as fine dis-
tinct strife. Abdomen with a short basal segment, hidden by the elytra
above, visible beneath, not extending beyond the coxae; second segment long,
more than twice as long as the third. Tarsi three-jointed; basal joint very
small, second very long. Abdomen strongly margined above. Body rather
robust and convex.
This genus belongs to the Trichonyx group of the Eu-
plectini, but differs greatly from that genus in the position
of the posterior coxse, which are here very narrowly sepa-
rated, almost contiguous at base. In Trichonyx they are
quite distant, more than three times as distant as in the
present genus. Oropus belongs near Trogaster Sharp, and
differs from it in the form and position of the pronotal teeth.
In addition, the following characters distinctive of Trogas-
ter are not found in Oropus: — Antenu?e dissimilar in the
sexes; fourth joint of maxillary palpi rather short, widest
near the base; head with two small occipital foveae, which
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 197
are not spongiose, and not connected by the anterior arcu-
ate groove, the latter terminating posteriorly in two very
deep fovei^ just in advance of the occipital pair. Elytra
each with with three fove^ at base, the lateral prolonged
posteriorly in two divergent stride.
The structure of the abdomen differs decidedly in the two
genera, although Trogaster has the short basal segment, the
second ventral is but very little longer than the third. In
Trogaster the first three visible dorsal segments are nearly
equal; in Oropus these decrease uniformly and rapidly in
length. Amauronyx agrees well with the present genus in
abdominal structure, but has the posterior coxae separated
as in Trichonyx, the elytra with but two basal foveye, and
the pronotum without lateral teeth.
I have drawn my comparisons from specimens of Amau-
ronyx Maerkeli Aub.; Trichonyx sidcicollis Reichb., and Tro-
gaster aherrans Sharp, very kindly given me, together with
many other Pselaphides and Scydmsenides, by Capt. Ch.
Kerremans of the Belgian army.
Oropus has thus far occurred only on the Pacific Coast;
one species has already been described by Dr. Le Conte
under the name of Trichonyx striatus; I now add three others
from more southern latitudes, of which convexus is assumed
to be the type of the genus.
In the following descriptions the elytral striae are desig-
nated by the numbers one to four, in order from the suture
outward.
The four species may be distinguished as follows : —
Elytral striae two and three subequal, extending distinctly behind the
middle.
Pronotal canaliculation not intermpted before the transverse basal
groove,
Canalicnlalion dilated anteriorly StrlatUS.
Canaliculation not dilated anteriorly, coarse, dilated in the middle,
convexus.
Canaliculation completely interrupted behind the middle. . interruptUS.
Elytral strife two and three unequal, shorter abbreviatUS.
198 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
These species, with exception of the first, which was
described by Dr. Le Conte from Vancouver Island, were all
taken in wet moss at the bottom of ravines near the sea-
coast, and within a very limited area. I have met with
them in no other locality.
0. COnvexuS n. sp.— Form rather robusf, convex, dark rufo-castaneous;
elytra scarcely perceptibly paler, dark rufous; legs and antennae slightly paler,
rufoup; pubescence coarse, rather long, not rery dense; integuments polished.
Head roi ust, much wider than long; eyes moderate, prominent, at their own
length from the base; sides behind them strongly convergent and arcuate to
the base, which is about one-half as wide as the width at the eyes; impressed
groove strongly arcuate; occiput with a narrow canaliculation in the mid-
tile at base; autennse robust, short, as long as the head and prothorax to-
gether; basal joint robust, longer than wide, distinctly narrowed toward base,
«tcond slightly narrower, cylindrical, as long as wide, three to eight slightly
narrower than the second, gradually slightly shorter, third slightly wider
than long, ninth and tenth abruptly much wider, short, transverse, the tenth
slightly the larger, eleventh distinctly wider than the tenth, conoidal, acutely
pointed, as long as the four preceding joints together. Prothorax widest
tiliohtly before the middle, where it is scarcely visibly wider than the head
and nearly as wide as long; sides here very strongly rounded, thence rather
strongly convergent and distinctly sinuate to the base; the latter broadly
arcuate, two-thirds as wide as the disk, one-third wider thnu the apex; the
latter feebly arcuate; sides toward the apex slightly sinuate, basal angles
prominent, slightly obtuse, not at all rounded; disk broadly convex; canalicu-
lation terminating at one-sixth the length from the apex, slightly dilated in
the middle in the form of a small puncture, continued toward base beyond
the transverse groove nearly one-half the distance between the latter and the
base; transverse groove deeply impressed, very feebly posteriorly arcuate, at
one-third the length from the base; lateral fovejB deeply impressed, spougiose;
disk between transverse groove and base strongly convex; surface finely,
sparsely punctate. Elytra at base slightly narrower than the prothorax, at
apex one-half wider than the latter; sides rather strongly and nearly evenly-
arcuate; disk broadly and rather strongly convex, as long as wide; humeri long-
itudinally prominent but not carinate; sutural striae very deeply impressed,
entire, slightly arcuate, two and three equal, fine, strongly impressed, two-
thirds as long as the disk, four short, arcuate, terminating slightly before the
middle, fine, strongly impressed; surface rather finely, feebly and sparsely
punctate. Abdomen slightly shorter and narrower than the elytra; border
inclined, strong and conspicuous; surface broadly convex, very minutely,
sjmrsely punctate. Legs moderate in length, slender; femora slender, very
slightly clavate; posterior tibiae nearly twice as long as the tarsi, very feebly
dilated toward tip. Length 1 9-2.0 mm.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 199
California; (Sonoma Co. 2).
The type is a male; the abdominal sexual characters are
not very well marked and consist of a very small transverse
impression beneath, near the apex. The under surface of the
head is moderately convex, with a fine but distinct median
carina; it is coarsely, rather deeply and not densely
punctate.
The female which I have associated with this male is very
slightly more depressed and very slightly more robust; the
antennee are shorter and more robust; the under surface of
the head is more finely and feebly punctate; the median
pronotal channel is finer and not so distinctly dilated in the
middle; the elytral striae are more feebly impressed; the
pubescence of the body is slightly denser and the color is
paler, especially that of the elytra, w^hich is rather bright
rufous. If the specimen were not a female I should not
hesitate to describe it as distinct, but as the sexual char-
acters in this genus are not known the above difi'erences
may be due simply to the usual sexual modification. The
material before me is so limited that very little can be learned
of specific variability, but in tabulating the species above
I have made use only of those characters w^hicli are regarded
as of great importance in other portions of the Pselaphid?e.
0. interruptus n. sp. — Moderately robust, convex, uniformly dark rufous;
legs and antennte very slightly paler; pubescence rather coarse, not long,
moderately dense; integuments shining, pronotum slightly duller. Head
much wider than long; eyes moderate, convex, at their own length from the
base; sides behind them strongly convergent and arcuate to the neck, which
is deeply impressed, broadly sinuate; occipital foveas on a line through the
anterior limits of the eyes; occiput with a narrow median canaliculation;
antennae rather robust, as long as the head and prothorax together; basal
joint slightly robust, a little longer than wide, second very slightly narrower,
cylindrical, scarcely as wide as long, three to eight very slightly narrower,
decreasing in length, third distinctly wider than long, nine and ten rather
abruptly longer and much wider, transverse, tenth distinctly longer and
slightly wider than the ninth, eleventh more robust than the tenth, elon-
gate, conoidal, slightly obliquely pointed, scarcely as long as the four
preceding together. Prothorax widest at a little more than one-third its
200 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
length from the apex, where it is distinctly wider than long, very slightly
wider than the head; sides strongly rounded, thence convergent to the
basal angles, bisected by the lateral teeth, verj' feebly sinuate between the
teeth and the basal angles; base broadly arcuate, two-thirds as wide as the
disk, one-third wider than the apex; disk broadly convex; canaliculation
abrupt, rather narrow and deep, beginning slightly behind the apex,
abruptly terminating at the middle; transverse groove deeply impressed,
broadly, feebly arcuate, at distinctly less than one-third the length from the
base, prolonged posteriorly in the middle in a deep broad channel nearly
half way to the base. Elytra at base nearly equal in width to the prouotum,
at apex nearly one-halt wider than the latter; sides evenly and strongly arcu-
ate; humeral prominences convex, strong, elongate; disk slightly wider than
long, rather strongly convex, broadly impressed along the suture; strite one
strongly impressed, fine, two and three approximate, equal, fine, distinct, two-
thirds as long as the disk, four fine, deeply impressed, one-third as long as
the disk; surface rather coarsely, feebly and sparsely punctate, Abdomen
broadly convex, impunctate; border strong, rather strongly inclined. Legs
moderate in length. Length 1.9 mm.
California; (Sonoma Co. 1).
The type is a male. The species is easily distinguished
from convexus by the shorter and less robust basal joint of
the antennae, more broadly and evenly arcuate impressed
frontal groove, short pronotal canaliculation, broader median
posterior continuation of the transverse groove, and by the
color, which is more uniform and paler rufous.
0. abbreviatUS n. sp. — Rather robust, moderately depressed, very dark
rulo-testaceous; an enute and legs concolorous; elytra scarcely perceptibly
paler; integuments polished; pubescence coarse, rather long and somewhat
dense. Head much wider than long, neck one-half as wide as the width at
the eyes; surface almost impunctate; frontal impressed channel very strongly
arcuate; antennae as long as the head and prothorax together, moderately
robust; basal jjint robust, longer than wide, second slightly narrower, a
little longer than wide, third very slightly wider than long, ninth and tenth
abruptly wider, subequal in length, the latter very slightly the wider, elev-
enth slightly wider than the tenth, ovoidal, symmetrically pointed, scarcely
as long as the preceding four together. Prothorax widest very slightly before
the middle, where it is as wide as long; sides very strongly arcuate, couverg-
ett and very feebly arcuate to the apex, sinuate near the latter, less strongly
convergent toward the base, strongly sinuate just before the latter; base
broadly arcuate, threc-fourths as wide as the disk, oue-half wider than the
apex; disk broadly convex; median canaliculation rather fine but deeply im-
pressed, beginning near the apex, continuous in width and depth across the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 201
transverse groove nearly one-half the distance between the latter and the
base; transverse groove deeply impressed, at slightly more than one-fourth
the length from the base, feebly, posteriorly arcuate; lateral foveae rather large,
moderately impressed. Elytra at base slightly narrower than the pronotum,
at apex one-half wider than the latter; sides evenly and rather strongly arcu-
ate; humeral prominence convex, elongate; disk very finely, sparsely punc-
tate, nearly as long as wide, moderately and nearly evenly convex; stria one
deeply impressed, entire, two and three very closely approximate, finely im-
pressed, distinct, the former three-sevenths, the latter four-sevenths as long as
the elytra, four fine, deeply impressed, more divergent, one-third as long as
the disk. Abdomen slightly narrower and much shorter than the elytra;
border strong. Le^rs slender. Length 1.8 mm.
California; (Sonoma Co. 1),
This species, which is represented bj the male, is easily
distinguished from the others by the brevity of the second
and third elytral striae. It is further distinguished by the
shape of the pronotum and by the form of the frontal im-
pressed groove, which is here very strongly arcuate, more
so than in convexus.
The antennae are very similar in structure throughout,
but present slight differences mainly affecting the lirst,
ninth, tenth and eleventh joints.
ACTIUM n. gen. (Euplectini.)
The Californian species hitherto placed in Trimium in re-
ality form a very distinctly characterized genus. In the fol-
lowing comparative statement, I have had before me a male
and female of the European Trimium hrevicorne Reichb.
which was taken by Aube as the generic type. In Trimium
as thus represented, the eyes are very unequal in the sexes,
in the males being moderate in size, in the females much
smaller. The pronotum is crt>ssed by a very fine, feebly
impressed, basal groove. The flanks of the elytra are per-
fectly devoid of humeral fovea3. The first visible dorsal
segment is elongate, equal in length to the next two together.
The generic character of Actium may therefore be briefly
given as follows: —
202 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Maxillary palpi rather small, secoucl joint very stronoly clavate, third nn-
uute, subglobulrir, fourth eloaj^ate, oval, moderately robust, longer than the
remainder taken together. Basal groove of proootum very stroug and deeply
impressed. Eyes rather large, convex and promiueut in both sexes. Elytra
having on the flanks, just behind each humeral prominence, a large spong-
iose fovea, which is continued to the elytral apex by a broadly and deeply
impressed groove, limited interiorly by a fine acute ridge. First three visible
dorsal segments of the abdomen subequal, first plightly the longer.
Actium dift'ers from Euplecfcus in its more abrupt terminal
joints of the antennae, in tlie presence of spongiose fove^ on
tlie head, in the very much more robust and convex form of
body, and in the structure of the abdomen. In Euplectus,
as represented by Bonvouloiri Reit. and signatus Keichb.
the first three visible dorsal segments are equal, the fourth
very much longer; the second and third ventral segments
are equal in length. In Actium the fourth visible dorsal is
but very slightly longer than the third, and the second ven-
tral is distinctly longer than the third. It will be seen
therefore that the genus Actium properly occupies a posi-
tion intermediate between Trimium and Euplectus.
The sexual characters at the apex of the venter are usually
quite complex.
It is highly probable that our eastern representatives of
Trimium will also necessitate the founding of a separate
genus, although this cannot be definitely stated at present.
LOMECHUSA Grav.
L. montana u. sp. — Kobust, rather depressed; sides jarallel; pale rufo-
testaceous throughout; antennte and legs concolorous; pubescence very fii e,
sparse, abdomen polished, almost glabrous; anterior portions finely aluta-
ceous, elytra moie shining than the pronotum; under surface polished. Head
small, much wider than long; eyes rather large and prominent, at nearly their
own length from the base; sides behind them nearly parallel; very feebly ar-
cuate; front with a large deep impression; entire surface very minutely
granulose and excessively minutely, not densely punctate; antennae very slen-
der, not incrassate, two-thirds as long as the body; basal joint very large^
twice as long as wide, rather abruptly narrowed at the base, not as long as
the next three together; second slightly longer than wide, not one-half as wide
as the first, scarcely two-thirds as long as the third; joints three to seven
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 203
equal, seven to ten very slightly decreasing in length, eleventh long and slen-
der, attenuate; apices of joints three to ten obliquely truncate. Prothorax
twice as wide as the head; apex throughout the breadth of the latter broadly,
roundly emargiuate; apical angles thence very broadly rounded, coarctate with
the sides which become nearly straight and shghtly divergent to within a
short distance of the base, where they become abruptly slightly convergent
and nearly straight to the basal angles; the latter obtuse and scarcely round-
ed; base broadly and stiongly arcuate in the middle, sinuate laterally; disk
twice as wide as long, depressed in the middle, very broadly and strongly re-
flexed at the sides, extremely feebly reliexed anterior!}', more strongly and
broadly so along the arcuate portion of the base, also more strongly im-
pressed at the sides and toward the apical angles, very minutely subgranulose
with evenly distributed, not dense, fine, grauulose or strongly asperate punc-
tures. Elytra as wide as the prothorax; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate;
apex broadly truncate, feebly sinuate laterally; inner angles distinctly round-
ed; humeri rather broadly rounded; disk nearly two-thirds wider than long,
one-third longer than the pronotum, feebly convex, more strongly so toward
the humeri; base feebly declivous, finely, feebly subgranulose, finely, rather
sparsely granulosely punctate; punctures more distinct than those of the
pronotum; suture margined with a fine, polished but not distinctly elevated
line which extends along the scutellum and base. Ahdomeii as wide as the
elytra; sides nearly straight and j^arallel; broadly, obtusely rounded behind;
surface strongly impressed in the basal half, broadlj', feebly convex behind;
lateral tufts of hair bright fulvous; under surface strongly convex, having very
sparsely placed, erect selas. Legs long and slender; tarsi_ cylindrical; first
joint of the posterior longer than the next two together, one-third longer than
the fifth. Length 4.3 mm.
California; (Truckee, Nevada Co. 1). Elevation 6,000
feet.
A very interesting addition to the fauna of California;
the typical representative was found under a stone deeply
imbedded in soft soil near the margin of a small stream; no
ants of any description could be seen, and in fact myrmeco-
philous Coleoptera of all kinds appear to be extremely rare on
the Pacific Coast.
TACHYUSA Erichs.
T. crebrepunctata ^- sp. — Kather slender, moderately convex, black
throughout; antennae and legs same; tarsi and palpi paler, piceo-testaceous;
pubescence short, fine, dense and recumbent, coarser, longer and more
sparse on the abdomen; integuments shining, finely, deeply', evenly and
very densely punctate, head and abdomen slightly more coarsely and sparsely
204 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
so. Head and labrum together slightly longer than wide; front and occiput
strongly convex and declivous at the sides, flat above; eyes large, at scarcely
their own length from the base; sides behind them slightly convergent,
strongly arcuate; base broad, truncate; antennas slender, very feebly incras-
sate, scarcely as long as the head and prothorax together; second joint slen-
der, elongate, much longer than the third; joints three to ten decreasing in
length, the former more than twice as long as wide, the latter very slightly
wider than long. Prothorax slightly wider than long, widest at one-third its
length from the apex, where the sides are rather broadly arcuate, thence
rather strongly convergent and nearly coarctately rounded to the apex, and
slightly less strongly convergent and feebly sinuate to the base; the latter
broadly and strongly arcuate throughout, four-fifths as wide as the disk and
slightly wider than the apex; the latter broadly and feebly arcuate throughout;
basal angles very obtuse and distinctly rounded ; disk broadly and rather strong-
ly convex, depressed in the middle toward base, and immediately before the
basal margin transversely and feebly impressed. Elytra at base one-fourth
wider than the pronotum; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate near the base,
strongly so near the apex; apical angles acute and slightly produced; together
subtruucate behind, feebly emarginate at the suture; disk nearly quadrate,
two-fifths longer than the pronotum, feebly and nearly evenly convex; su-
ture very finely margined. Abdomen distinctly narrower than the elytra;
sides parallel and nearly straight; border wide and prominent; surface feebly
convex; three basal segments rather deeply impressed at base but not more
densely or coarsely punctate, not carinate in the middle. Legs moderate in
length, very slender; tibiae densely herissate with coarse, semi-erect setae;
joints of the posterior tarsi decreasing rather rapidly in length, first nearly
oue-half longer than the second. Length 2.5 mm.
California; (Monterey Co. 1).
This species is rather closely allied to T. Harfordi, but
differs in its smaller size, shorter, smaller and more trans-
verse prothorax, and denser and stronger punctuation.
The middle coxae are distinctly although not widely sepa-
rated; the mesosternal process is rather short, broadly an-
gulate, the apex of the angle being broadly rounded; the
connecting surface is deeply impressed
AUTALIA Leach.
A. elegans "• sp. — Rather slender and depressei; head and abdomen
toward tip piceous-black, remainder dark piceo-castaneous; antennae dark
fuscous throughout; legs rather pale brownish-flavate; pubescence fine, sparse,
long and distinct; integuments polished. Head slightly longer than wide;
semicirculcirly rounded behind from eye to eye; surface strongly and evenly
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 205
convex, impuuctate; antennae distinctly longer than the head and prothorax
together, distinctly incrassate toward the apex; three basal joints elongate,
second very slightly shorter than the first or third, four to ten gradually
shorter and wider, the former distinctly longer than wide, the latter slighrly
wider than long. Prolhorax very slightly longer than wide; sides in the ante-
rior third strongly convergent and nearly straight to the nuchal emarginatiou
which is broadly and feebly incurvate and one-third as wide as the disk; in
the posterior two-thirds the side's are parallel, broadly and feebly incurvate at
the posterior third, at the anterior third strongly rounded; disk'transversely
and rather strongly convex at the sides, feebly so in the middle, where there
is a narrow, rather feeble canaliculalion extending from near the apex to
slightly behind the middle; also at the base four foveas, the inner pair
continued anteriorly and slightly obliquely nearly to the middle by narrow,
deeply impressed canaliculations; the outer pair dilated laterally, and ante-
riorly, obliquely and briefly prolonged at their iuner extremities; surface
highly polished, finely and sparsely granulose in the middle toward base;
basal margin broadly and feebly arcuate; angles right and very narrowly
rounded. Elyira at base nearly one-half wider than the pronotum; sides
nearly parallel, strongly arcuate toward apex; together subtruncate behind;
disk feebly convex, abruptly and strongly so at the sides, impunctate; suturaJ
striae fine and distinct; each elytron strongly bifoveate at the base. Abdomen
at base three-fourths as wide as the elytra; sides parallel and feebly arcuate;
border narrow, deep and strongly inclined; surface feebly convex; first three
segments transversely and very strongly impressed at base; impressed areas
coarsely, strongly and densely granulose, traversed longitudinally by five
carinae, remainder of the surface scarcely punctate on the basal segments,
finely, asperately and very sparsely so on the apical. Legs slender; first four
joints of the posterior tarsi slightly elongate, nearly equal. Length 2.0 mm.
California; (Lake Co. 1). Mr. Fuchs.
The prosternum is well developed in front of the coxae,
slightly swollen, connected Avith the supracoxal surface by
an even convexity without trace of raised line; between the
coxas it is produced back as an acute angle, strongly car-
inate in the middle and projecting under the apex of the
mesosternum, the posterior edges of the supracoxal surface
being narrowly and strongly reflexed; the portion behind
the coxc\3 is membranous.
The mesosternum is ample, broadly arcuate and very nar-
rowly reflexed anteriorly, finely carinate throughout along
the middle, the surface on either side of the middle being
broadly impressed for the reception of the anterior coxae in
15— EuLL. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 27, 1886
206 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
repose; posteriorly, between the widely separated middle
coxiM, it is scarcely at all produced, but is very broadly
arcuate, reflexed and far above and free from the long
truncate metasternal process; the entire mesosternum is
coarsely, stron^iy and densely granulose, forming a striking
contrast to the highly polished pro- and metasterna.
The anterior and middle tarsi have each four distinct
joints, but the long, very slender fourth joints are provided
at base with a very small and ill-defined segment, which
renders the accurate determination of the structure a mat-
ter of great difficulty ^
EUMITOCERUS u. gen. (Tachyporini.)
Head moderately deflexed; eyes adjacent to the prothorax; antennae long,
very slender, capillary, verticillate; two basal joints much more robust, first
slightly less than twice as long as the second; labrum very small, much wider
than long, arcuate anteriorly, strongly inflexed and hidden under the project-
ing clypeus; maxillary palpi long, filiform and slender; second joint long and
very slender, third obconical, scarcely more than two-thirds as long as the sec-
ond, fourth slender, finely acuminate, slightly swollen toward base, longer
than the third, much more finely and densely pubescent. Pronotal hypomera
extremely strongly inflexed, almost parallel with the dorsal surface; wide be-
hind, very narrow anteriorly. Elytra passing a little beyond the metaster-
num. Anterior coxae narrow, conical, convex anteriorly; posterior moderately
prominent, conical posteriorly, eraarginate externally; posterior femora and
trochanters attached at the apices, their point of insertion not at all concealed.
Ventral segments margined; sixth exposed dorsally. Tarsi five-jointed. In-
teguments asperate.
It can be readily seen that Eumitocerus bears a great re-
semblance to Habrocerus, but differs from that genus in the
^. — I cannot but agree with Wollaston in his statement (Cat. Can.
Col., p. 535, foot-note), concerning the difficulties of the tarsal system as
applied to the Aleocharini. In many of the minute species it is impossible
to determine the number of tarsal joints in such manner as to leave no doubt
in the mind of the investigator, because of the hairy vestiture and the ap-
parent division of the terminal joint in many cases, which, as I have before
remarked, may be indicative of a real division at an early period in the his-
tory of the species. The more the subject is investigated, the more apparent
is it that the division of the Aleocharini in accordance with the number of
tarsal joints, is neither scientific in indicating true affinities, nor practical in
its application.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 207
relatively miicli shorter third joint of the maxillary palpi,
and more especially in the structure of the posterior coxjb.
In appearance it differs considerably, by reason of its aspe-
rate sculpture, in this respect being apparently related to
Tricoj)hya. In the latter genus the elytra do not extend
beyond the metasternum, and the third and fourth joints of
the maxillary palpi are subequal in length.
There is at my disposal, unfortunately, but one specimen.
I cannot therefore give a representation of the maxilla; the
labial palpi appear to be very minute and are not distinctly
visible in the type. From the cursory glance which I ob-
tained before the antennae were broken, I am confident that
these are filiform and verticillate throughout.
E. tarsalis n. sp.— Form rather slender, dark castaneous; abdomen black,
paler at the apex; legs pale piceo-testaceous; antennae flavate, basal
joints piceo-testaceous; pubescence fine, denser on the elytra, recum-
bent, brownish, not conspicuous; integuments very feebly alutaceous,
shining. Head moderate, slightly wider than long, feebly and evenly
convex; eyes small, convex, finely granulate, rather prominent; front feebly,
densely and subasperately punctate; palpi testaceous; infraorbital ridge not
visible. Prothorax widest at two-thirds its length from the apex, where the
sides are obtusely subangulate and where it is nearly one-half wider than
long; sides thence moderately convergent aud feebly arcuate to the apex,
slightly less strongly convergent and nearly straight to the base; the latter
squarely truncate; basal angles obtuse and very slightly rounded; apex broadly
and feebly emarginate, distinctly narrower than the base; disk evenly aud
moderately convex, obliquely and feebly iropressed near each basal angle, very
finely, rather densely and evenly punctate; punctures strongly asperate.
Scutellum rather large, as wide as long, asperate. Elytra at base as wide as
the base of the pronotum; sides feebly divergent, nearly straight toward the
base, feebly arcuate posteriorly; together as long as wide, broadly sinuate at
apex, nearly one-half longer than the pronotum; disk feebly, transversely
convex, finely, rather densely and evenly punctato-asperate; punctures slightly
coarser than those of the pronotum. Abdomen at base very slightly narrower
than the elytra; sides rather strongly convergent toward apex and nearly
straight; border moderate, feeble on the fifth segment; surface transversely
and moderately convex, even, minutely, very feebly and rather densely punc-
tato-asperate at base, the punctures becoming more minute and sparse toward
the vertex; under surface more coarsely and strongly punctato-asperate to-
ward the base, sculpture subimbricate. Legs moderate, anterior short, rather
lobust, remainder slender; posterior tarsi long, much shorter than the tibiae,
208 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
very slender, first joint longer than the next three together, as long as the last
three. Length 1.8 mm.
California; (San Mateo 1). Mr. C. Fuclis.
The type of this interesting species is probably a male.
The tarsi are very remarkable; the anterior are irregular,
attached obliquely to the tibiae, and have the basal joint
large, broadly dilated and slightly darker in color; the next
three joints are very small, emarginate at tip, pale flavo-
testaceous in color, and moderately dilated, successively
less strongly so; the fifth slender. The intermediate tarsi
are irregular and are very distinctly dilated toward base;
both the anterior and middle tarsi are densely clothed be-
neath with very slender papillae, and are verticillate at the
sides; the papillae beneath are sometimes terminated by
very minute enlargements which are apparently composed
of a viscid substance, and analogous to the erect setae ob-
served upon the under surface of the head in the Euplectini
of the Pselaphidce. The claws are very small. There
are no sexual characters of importance observable at the
abdominal vertex.
HETEROTHOPS Steph.
H. exilis ^- sp. — Form very slender, rather convex; pale reddish-testa-
ceous throughout; head slightly darker, more castaneous; antennae and legs
slightly paler, pale flavate ; integuments polished ; head and pronotum glabrous ;
elytra and abdomen finely and rather densely pubescent, the elytra the more
sparsely so. Head rather strongly deflexed, oblong, abruptly and feebly con-
stricted at the neck; sides thence to the eyes feebly convergent, feebly arcu-
ate, twice as long as the eyes which are small, not at all prominent and almost
at the apical angles; surface transversely and rather strongly convex, impunc-
tate, finely and excessively feebly strigose; antennas inserted at a very short
distance from the eyes, shorter than the head and prothorax together; feebly
incrassate; first joint as long as the next two together, third small, much
shorter than the second, slightly longer than wide, tenth distinctly wider than
long, eleventh slightly louger than the two preceding together. Prothorax
scarcely longer, and, at the apex very slightly wider than the head, widest at
the base where it is but very slightly wider than long; sides convergent from
base to apex, broadly, evenly and distinctly arcuate; apex broadly and very
feebly arciiaie, three-fourths as wide as the base; the latter evenly and very
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 209
-distinctly arcuate throughoat; angles broadly rounded; disk transversely and
rather strongly convex, impunctate, excessively minutely and obsoletely stri-
gose vfith a few setigerous punctures along the sides and base and four discal
punctures, one near each apical angle, and another just before and on either
side of the centre of the disk. Elytra at base very slightly narrower than the
prothorax; sides very feebly divergent, very feebly arcuate; together broadly
and distinctly sinuate behind; disk very feebly convex, slightly wider than
long, very slightly shorter than the pronotum, evenly, not very coarsely,
deeply, moderately densely and asperately punctate; intervals extremely feebly
reticulate. Scutellum rather large, triangular, asperate. Abdomen long,
slender, at base nearly as wide as the elytra; apparently not capable of much
contraction; sides gradually convergent and nearly straight to the apex; bor-
der rather wide, deep, nearly vertical; surface rather convex, finely and
very densely punctate. Legs rather short and slender; first four joints of the
posterior tarsi decreasing rapidly in length, first subequal to the fifth.
Length 2.4 mm.
California; (Monterey Co. 1).
The single representative is probably a female; the an-
terior tarsi are slightly dilated; the seventh segment has
four long, setigerous, anal styles, but both the dorsal and
ventral plates of the sixth segment are broadly and evenly
arcuate at apex.
It is related to pusio Lee, but differs in the arrangement
and number of the occipital punctures; these are one at the
middle of the upper margin of the eye and one below the
posterior margin of the eye between the latter and the in-
fraocular ridge; at the base on the sides there are a few very
minute punctures, and a transverse row of large setigerous
punctures immediatelj' before the nuchal constriction ex-
tending across the head.
The type specimen was found under pine bark early in
February near the town of Monterey.
ABABACTUS Sharp.
A. pallidiceps n. sp. — Slender, rather depressed, piceous; head rufo-
testaceous; legs pale flavate; antennae opaque, pale flavo-testaceous; head
sometimes clouded in the middle of the disk; pubescence sparse throughout,
fine; integuments polished. Head distinctly longer than wide; post-ocular
portion slightly less than twice as wide as long, semicircularly rounded be-
210 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
hind; eyes large, at twice their length from the base, finely granulate; sur-
face moderately convex, rather sparsely, unevenly and not deeply punctate;
punctures varying in size; antennal tuberculatious abrupt, small and strong,
with the anterior edges acute and prominent; surface between them grad-
ually and anteriorly declivous, transversely truncate at apex; labrum short
and broad, acutely incised in the middle, finely, acutely and prominently
bideuticulate, edge just without each tooth finely sinuate; fourth joint of the
maxillary palpi small, much narrower than the apex of the third, conical,
acute; antennae long and slender, as long as the head and prothorax together,
not iucrassate; second joint distinctly shorter than the third, all the joints
longer than wide. Prothorax nearly three-fourths as wide as the head; sides
parallel, distinctly and almost evenly arcuate; base and apex almost equal in
width, truncate; basal and apical angles equally and rather broadly rounded;
disk cylindrically convex, one-half longer than wide, coarsely, feebly and
irregularly punctate; punctures sparse near the sides, more dense in an
irregular line borderiug the median impunctate area, which is very slightly
more strongly convex throughout its length. Elylra at base one-third wider
than the prothorax, slightly wider than the head; sides nearly parallel,
extremely feebly arcuate; together broadly and very feebly emarginate
behind; humeri very narrowly rounded; disk two-fifths longer than wide,
nearly one-third longer than the jjrothorax, depressed, very feebly impressed
toward base along the narrowly elevated suture, rather coarsely, feebly and
evenly punctate; punctures impressed, distant by more than their own
diameters, not appreciably more feeble toward apex. Abdomen slightly
narrower than the elytra; sides parallel and straight; surface finely, more
deeply, evenly and not densely punctate. Length 4.8-5.2 mm.
California; (Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co. 2; Anderson Yal. ,
Mendocino Co. 1)
In the male the second ventral segment has in the centre
of its disk a small deep fovea bearing a small brush of erect
hairs, the third segment having two similar foveas, rather
approximate, arranged transversely, distinctly before the
middle, each bearing one or two erect robust setae; sixth
segment with a very narrow deep incisure, with the sides
nearly parallel, very acutely rounded at apex and ^nq times
as deep as its mid-width, bordered throughout its length
with a narrow, deeply concave gutter which is prolonged
anteriorly, continuing thence as a single groove to the base
of the segment, becoming gradually attenuated.
The prothorax is very slightly narrowed toward apex, the
basal angles thus being more prominent than the apical.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 211
The color may vary somewhat from immaturity, both the
head and prothorax being sometimes paler. The single
specimen upon which this statement is based differs, hoAv-
ever, in its slightly denser elytral punctuation; it is prob-
ably a female, the sixth segment being entire, narrowly
rounded at apex; the second segment is entire, but the
third has the two foveae as described in the male.
The present species belongs near A. politus Sharp, which
it resembles greatly in sexual characters; from nactiis Horn,
it differs in color and in its much more elongate prothorax
and elytra.
The genus Ababactus difi'ers from Hesperobium not only
in the structure of the labrum, — which allies it more closely
with Cryptobium, — and tarsi, as remarked by Dr. Sharp,
but also in the complete absence of the large basal carina
of the first ventral segment, which is such a prominent
feature of Hesperobium. The two post-ocular annular
punctures are well developed in Ababactus, and are com-
pletely absent in Cryptobium fradicorne Paj^k.
LENA 11. gen. (Paedeiici.)
Body robust, depressed; head rather large; antennae short and robust;
labrum rather short, broadly rounded, with a simple median sinnation about
twice as wide as deep with no trace of denticulation or carina; third joint of
labial palpi very minute and slender; third joint of maxillary palpi much
longer than the second, slender, fusiform, obtusely pointed at tip; fourth
excessively minute, slender, subulate; eyes moderate, coarsely granulate.
Prothorax subquadrate, narrowed toward base, shorter than the elytra. In-
termediate and posterior tarsi rather slender, cylindrical; first joint of the
latter as long as the next two together, distinctly longer than the fifth; fourth
short, very slightly dilated, obhque at apex; anterior tarsi robust and spon-
gy-pubescent beneath, very feebly dilated. Integuments rugulose, coarsely
punctate, shining. Neck rather slender; gular sutures well separated.
This genus belongs near Medon, but is easily distin-
guished from it by a peculiar and complicated modification
of the pronotal hypomera, the surface being deeply grooved
opposite the base of the coxa3 and the acute dividing line
212 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
being bisinuate anteriorly. It does not appear to be very
closely allied to any of the Central American genera, and
may be easily recognized by its short robust form, rather
large truncate head, simple sinuate labrum, slender fusi-
form third maxillary palpal joint, short antennc\3 and non-
carinate prosternum. I have compared it directly with
31edon hrimneus Erichs.
We have but one species.
L. testacea n. sp.— Robust; sides parallel; pale rufo-testaceous, elytra,
legs, palpi and aatennre toward apex slightly paler aud more flavate; pubes-
cence of elytra and abdomen fine, rather long, not dense. Head about as
long as wide; sides parallel, almost straight; base transversely truncate,
feebly sinuate in the middle third; angles right, very narrowly rounded; eyes
at twice their length from the base, slightly prominent; front finely subgranu-
lose, coarsely, very feebly and not densely punctate, with a rather broad
median impunctate line; antennte equal in length to the head, distinctly in-
crassate toward tip; basal joint distinctly longer than the next two together,
second distinctly longer and more rob ist than the third, the latter slightly
longer than wide, joints four to ten subequal in length, increasing distinctly
in width, the former as long as wide, the latter much wider than long. Pro-
thorax widest at the anterior angles, slightly s'lorter and narrower than the
head, very slightly wider than long; sides rather feebly convergent from apex
to base, very feebly arcuate; base broadly subtruncate; angles rather broadly
rounded; anterior angles rather more narrowly rounded; sides of apex very
strongly convergent to the neck, nearly straight; nuchal truncation rather
feebly sinuate, two-fifths as wide as the disk; the latter feebly and
evenly convex, finely subgranulose, rather coarsely, evenly and feebly punc-
tate; punctures denser aud finer than those of the head, with scarcely a trace
of a median impunctate line. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the
prothorax, as wide as the head; sides very feebly divergent, nearly ^straight;
together broadly and extremely feebly emarginate behind; disk as long as
wide, one-third longer than the prothorax, very feebly convex, scarcely im-
pressed along the suture, which is bordered with a thickened but scarcely
elevated margin; surface not granulose, polished, rather finely, evenly and
not densely punctate, punctures impressed, deeper but not as large as those
of the pronotum. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the elytra; sides
parallel and distinctly arcuate; border rather narrow, deep and strongly in-
clined; surface broadly convex, very finely and feebly reticulate, polished,
excessively minutely aud rather sparsely punctate, each puncture being en-
tirely fiUeJ by a hair. Le/js rather short and very slender. L3ngth 2.2 mm.
Texas; (Austin 2).
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 213
There is unfortunately no male of this genus yet discov-
ered; the sixth segment of the female is short and broad,
very broadly and feebly rounded nearly throughout its width
at apex, subtruncate. The species may perhaps prove to
be apterous.
RAMONA n. Reu. (Pa3derini.)
This genus belongs to the Lithocharis and Medon divis-
ion of the Piederini, and is allied somewhat to Caloderma
and to several genera recently described from Central
America. It may be distinguished by the following char-
acters : —
Head smaller than the prothorax; the latter quadrate, shorter than the
elytra.- Labrum entire, short, broadlj^ rounded throughout, without inequal-
ity except some very minute and feeble undulations, three or four in number
near the middle, having dorsally a small median carina; neck rather slender,
one-third as wide as the prothorax. Anterior tarsi broadly dilated; posterior
sL nder, cylindrical, first four joints decreasing very rapidly in length, first
nearly as loug as the next two together, fourth cylindrical, very slightly
longer than wide. Head and pronotum without trace of median impunctate
line, stria or elevation; integuments extremely finelj^ and densely punctate,
alutaceous. Eyes moderate in size, coarsely granulated.
The third joint of the maxillary palpi is rather more
strongly dilated than is usual in this group, the fourth
being normal. The elytra differ from those of many allied
genera in having no sign whatever of the usual narrow ele-
vated margin adjoining the suture. The genus is distin-
guished from Medon and Caloderma by many characters,
the most important of which is the strong dilatation of the
anterior tarsi.
The sexual modification of the male is very slight, con-
sisting of a simple broad sinuation at the apex of the sixth
segment, the fifth being entire.
But one species is known at present.
E,. Capitulum ^- sp. — Rather slender and depressed, Llack throughout,
apical edges of the ventral segments paler; intermediate and posterior legs
214 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
piceous, anterior legs and tarsi throughout paler, piceous-brown; palpi pi-
ceous; antennas piceous, paler toward tip; pubescence extremely short, fine
and excessively dense on the elytra and abdomen, much less dense anteriorly.
Head small, as wide as long; sides behind the eyes very slightly divergent
posteriorly, feebly arcuate; base truncate; angles not prominent, rather
broadly rounded; front evenlj' and feebly convex, excessively minutely and
densely punctate; antennas rather long, slender, as long as the head and pro-
thorax together, not incrassate; basal joint scarcely as long as the next two
together, second three-fourths as long as the third, scarcely as long as, but
slightly more robust than the fourth, joints four to six equal, twice as long
as wide, six to ten decreasing in length, the latter scarcely as wide as long.
Frothorax widest in the middle, where it is distinctly wider than the head;
sides parallel, feebly arcuate; base and apex broadly arcuate, the latter very
feebly so; basal angles broadly rounded; apical more narrowly so; disk as
wide as long, feebly and evenly convex, excessively minutely, evenly and
densely punctato-granulose. Elytra at base just visibly wider than the prc-
thorax; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate: together brcadly and very feebly
emarginate behind; disk slightly longer than wide, nearly one-fourth longer
than the prothorax, feebly convex, not appreciably impressed along the
suture, excessively densely and very finely granulose, each granule bearing a
minute hair. ^6cZomen not narrowed toward base; sides parallel and straight
border narrow, erect; surface feebly, cylindrically convex, excessively mi-
nutely, feebly and densely punctate; punctures slightly asperate and not
arranged in any order. Le^/s rather short and robust; first joint of the pos-
terior tarsi fully as long as the fifth. Length 3.7 mm.
Nevada; (Reno 1).
The unique specimen is a male, the sin uation of the sixth
segment being about four times as wide as deep and acutely
rounded.
The pronotum has besides the regular system of excess-
ively minute granulate punctures, a widely and irregularly
scattered system of larger, though still very small, rounded,
shallow punctures, each of which bears a small, erect seta.
The elytra are opaque, the head and prothorax somewhat
shining.
LEPTOGENIUS n. gen. (Pffiderini.)
Body slender, roughly sculptured. Head large, borne on a nairow neck.
Prothorax small. Elytra longer and wider than the pronotum. Abdomen as
wide as the elytra, gradually decreasing in width toward apex; four basal
segments equal in length; fifth nearly one-half longer than the fourth; sixth
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 215
very short. Antennae short; basal joint very robust. Maxillary palpi large;
basal joint small, slender, second longer, robust, sublunate, third very large,
flattened, subsecuriform, much longer than the first two together, fourth very
minute, in the form of a very short robust spine, erect, protruding from the
apex of the third. Labial palpi extremely small, slender; third joint appar-
ently long and slender, second scarcely shorter and distinctly more robust,
basal joint not visible. Mandibles Jong and slender. Gular sutures contigu-
ous throughout. Labrum short, very broad, strongly arcuate, with a minute
median emargination slightly wider than deep, on each side of which there
are two exceedingly minute, approximate and robust teeth, upper surface hav-
ing a fine median, longitudinal carina. Legs slender; anterior tarsi not at
all dilated; first four joints of the posterior decreasing uniformly and rapidly;
in length, first slightly longer than the fifth. Prosternum having a fine,
strongly elevated, median carina, slightly less elevated at the anterior margin;
under surface of the neck carinate.
The exact relationship of this genus is not apparent; it
is different in appearance from any of the other Psecler-
oicl genera with which I am familiar, and in fact appears
to be a transitional form having uncertain affinities. The
labial palpi are very minute and in their position in the two
representatives before me are so deeply placed that it is im-
possible to give their exact structure.
The principal points of departure from the normal P^deri
are in the peculiar short antennte and spiniform — not subu-
late, oblique and retractile — terminal joint of the maxillary
palpi, also in the large third and small robust second joint
of that organ. The coxEe are normally Psederoid.
L. brevicornisn. sp, — Slender, pale ochreous-testaceous throughout; elytra
slightly darker, castaneous except near the base; pubescence extremely short,
sparse, very evenly distributed throughout; integuments thick, opaque, very
coarsely scabrous, not at all shining. Re'td slightly longer than wide; sides
parallel, nearly straight; base truncate, narrowly and distinctly sinuate in
the. middle; angles moderately broadly -founded; surface transversely and
moderately convex, coarsely and very densely granulose; eyes moderate,
slightly convex, on the sides at a little less than twice their length from the
base, very coarsely granulate; antennae a little shorter than the head, dis-
tinctly clavate, funicle slender at base, posteriorly and strongly geniculate;
basal joint robust, one-half longer than wide, second slightly less robust,
subglobular, three to six very small, very slightly wider than long, equal,
scarcely more than one-half as wide as the second, seventh slightly wider,
216 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
seven to nine increasing rather rapidly in width, ninth and tenth strongly'
transverse, equal, a little longer than the third, together scarcely as long as the
eloventli, which is ovoidal and pointed. Frothorax widest at one-third its
length from the apex, where it is very slightly narrower than loug; sides
thence vmy strongly convergent and broadly sinuate to the apex which is
slightly produced, truncate at tip and less than one-third as wide as the disk;
sides in the posterior two-thirds rather rapidly convergent to the base and
very feebly arcuate; apical angles obtuse, rather narrowly rounded and
somewhat prominent; b.isil rather broadly rounded; disk feebly convex,
feebly and broadly ridged along the middle especially in the basal half
where it is broadlj' and feebly biimpressed. Elytra at base distinctly wider
than the prouotuui; sides very feebly divergent, feebly arcuate; together
broadly, angularly and feebly emargiuate behind; disk quadrate, subde-
pressed, very slightly longer than the pronotum, coarsely and very closely
granulate; on each elytron (here is a very feeble impression extending from
the scutellum slightly obliquely and near the suture nearly to the apex.
Scutellum very indistinct, small, roundeil. Abdomeii at base as wide as the
elytra, and, at the apex of the lirst segment, slightly wider; sides gradually
convergent and slightly arcuate to the apex; border strongly inclined and
very distinct; surface moderately convex, coarsely and densely ruguloso-
granulate. Under surface of the head coarsely and closely punctate;
punctures round, variolate and almost in contact; under surface of the
abilomen shining, rather finely punctate; punctures asperate and arranged
in wavy, interrupted, transverse rows. Length 1.7-2,0 mm.
Texas; (Galveston t2).
Tlio scul]ituro of tlu^ pvoiiotum consists of a very minute
reticulation of coarse strongly elevated lines.
The sexual cliaracters are very feeble; the type is a male
and lias tlie aj^ex of the sixth segment broadly truncate or
excessively feebly sinuate throughout; in the female the
sixth segment is longer and extremely feebly angulate
throughout its width at a])ex. The male is much smaller
than tlie female.
The two representatives of this very interesting species
were found in detritus and rubbish on tlie inner side of the
sand dunes lining the ocean beach. It is the smallest
Pa3deride described from the United States.
ScOPiEUS.
The genus Scopjeus of Erichson Avas distinguished from
tlie other Pjiederoid genera by a remarkable character relat-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOrTERA. 217
ing to the ligula, which organ is here, in opposition to the
general rnle, tricuspid at the a])ex. Many representatives
having the tricuspid liguhi are found in America, and as
they are all small and generally possess some of the char-
acteristics of Bcopicus, such as the narrow neck, they have
been assigned to that genus without due consideration.
Upon examination these various forms are found to differ
consideral)ly in structure, so much so in fact that the desir-
ability and propriety of generically separating them can
no longer be doubted; several of the more markedly distinct
groups have already been noticed. Diagnoses of the genera
which inhabit the United States, may be stated as follows: —
Posterior angle of prosternum promiueut, the lower edge of the intercoxal
lamina being reentrant or inwardly arcuate at and near its vertex and not
longitudinally continuous in curvature with the prosternum. Anterior
angles of prothorax very broadly rounded or obsolete.
Posterior under side-pieces of pronotum well developed. Surface punctate
or alutaceous ScopseUS.
Posterior under side-pieces rudimentary. Surface polished and nearly im-
punctiite throughout Scopaeodera.
Posterior angle of prosternum not prominent, the lower edge of the inter-
coxal lamina being outwardly arcuate at and near the angle and longitu-
dinally continuous in curvature with the prosternum. Anterior angles
of the prothorax more or less prominent. Posterior under side-pieces
of the pronotum rather well developed.
Neck very slender; integuments excessively minutely punctate, aluta-
ceous Leptorus.
Neck broader; integuments coarsely punctate, pohshed Orus-
The generic characters of Scopjcus have been taken from
a typical representative of S. luiv'ujatus Gyll., for which I
am indebted to M. A. Sall^.
SCOP^US ErichH.
Several American species are assignable to this genus,
among others opacus Lee. The following species of the
Pacific Coast may also be placed here at present.
S. rotundiceps n- sp. — Rather slender, black; legs castaneous, paler toward
tip; antennfo and palpi rufu-fuscous, the former paler and flavate at the apex;
pubescence fine, short, very dense, more sparse on the pronotum, most conspic-
218 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
nous on the head; iuteguments shiniug. Head distinctly longer than wide,
semicircularly rounded behind from points slightly behind the eyes; sides par-
allel and nearly straight; surface rather strongly convex, very minutely and
densely punctate; punctures much feebler and sparser along the middle; an-
tennae slightly shorter than the head and prothorax together; first joint but
very slightly longer than the second and third together, the latter subequal in
length, the second joint somewhat more robust, joints three to ten decreasing
rather rapidly in length, the former distinctly longer than wide, the latter
slightly wider than long. ProtJiorax distinctly narrower than the head, two-
fifths longer than wide, widest in the middle; sides in the anterior third rather
strongly convergent and very feebly sinuate to the nuchal emargination which
is narrow and deeply sinuate; sides in the posterior two-thirds rather feebly
convergent and broadly arcuate throughout; anterior angles extremely obtuse
and broadly rounded, almost obsolete; posterior broadly rounded; base ex-
tremely feebly arcuate; disk transversely and moderately convex, very mi-
nutely and not very densely punctate; punctures subassperate, evenly distrib-
uted; a narrow line along the middle impunctate; at the base there is a very
tine median carina. Elytra at base nearly one-third wider than the prothorax;
sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate posteriorly; together broadly, angularly
and extremely feebly emarginate behind; disk feebly convex, slightly longer
than wide, distinctly longer than the pronotum, feebly impressed on the suture
toward base, rather coarsely and densely punctate toward the suture and
base, excessively minutely and slighth'^ more sparsely so exteriorly and api-
cally; suture finely margined with a narrow elevated border which is depress-
ed and much narrower at the scutellum. Abdomen at base slightly narrower
than the elytra; sides very feebly divergent and nearly straight to the apex of
the fourth segment; fifth as long as the two preceding together; surface
broadly and feebly convex, extremely minutely and densely punctate. Legs
finely punctate, rather short and robust; first joint of the posterior tarsi one-
third longer than the second, slightly shorter than the fifth. Length 3.3 mm.
California; (Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa Co. 2).
The specimens are both females;^ the sixth segment is
broadly angulate behind, the apex scarcely at all rounded,
the sides of the angle being broadly and very feebly arcuate.
The species is easily distinguished by its narrow head
semicircularly roanded behind.
6. — In a male since obtained at Keno, Nevada, the fifth segment is
deeply and roundly emarginate at apex, the lateral angles being slightly pro-
duced; the surface has a deep oval impression, becoming extinct near the
base; the sixth segment is deeply sinuate at apex, the sinus fully twice as
wide as deep, with the edges slightly reflexed; the surface impressed.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 219
S. truncaticeps u. sp. — Slender; sides nearly parallel; black, posterior
margins of the four basal abdominal segments paler; legs castaneous, paler
toward tip; palpi and antennge reddish-brown throughout; pubescence very
fine, short, rather dense, pale fulvous in color, more conspicuous on the pro-
notum toward the apex; integuments shining. Head robust, rather depressed,
very slightly longer than wide; sides parallel, feebly arcuate behind the eyes;
base truncate and very feebly arcuate; angles rather broadly rounded; surface
rather feebly convex, broadly impressed between the antenna, very finely aud
densely punctate, the punctures deep and much sparser in the middle anter-
iorly, slightly sparser posteriorly; antennae slightly shorter than the head and
prothorax together; basal joint distinctly longer than the next two combined,
second slightly more robust and a little shorter than the third, the latter much
longer than the fourth, joints four to ten decreasing gradually in length, the
latter slightly longer than wide. Prothorax distinctly narrower than the
head, widest slightly in advance of the middle, but slightly more than one-
third longer than wide; sides in the anterior third strongly convergent and
distinctly sinuate to the nuchal emargination which is broadly and feebly sin-
uate, in the posterior two-thirds moderately convergent and distinctly arcuate
to the base which is narrowly truncate in the middle; angles rather broadly
rounded; apical angles very obtuse and very broadly rounded; disk very
broadly and feebly convex, minutely and not very densely punctate, with a
narrow impunctate median line, having also a very short median basal carina
extending thence as a very fine, nearly obsolete stria nearly to the middle.
JS'/^/^ra at base one-fifth wider than the prothorax; sides nearly parallel and
straight; together almost transversely truncate behind; disk rather feebly
convex, impressed on the suture toward the scutellum, finely, evenly and not
very densely punctate; punctures slightly finer exteriorly and apically; suture
finely margined, margin very gradually finer toward base. Abdomen at base
slightly narrower than the elytra; sides very feebly divergent and nearly
straight; surface rather feebly convex, very minutely and densely punctate ;
basal segments transversely impressed at base, with the impressed areas much
more coarsely and densely punctate; fifth segment much shorter than the two
preceding together. Legs rather short and slender; first joint of the posterior
tarsi scarcely one-fourth longer than the second, much shorter than the fifth.
Length 4.0 mm.
California; (Anderson Val., Mendocino Co. 1).
Described from the female in which the sixth segment is
broadly angulate, with the apex of the angulation scarcely
at all rounded; sides forming the angle broadly and feebly
incurvate.
This line species is readily distinguished from the pre-
ceding by its form, size and sexual characters.
220 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
All the species of this genus which I have examined have
the bases of the first three or four dorsal segments of the
abdomen transversely impressed and densely and coarsely
punctate. In the Orus group the impressions are simply
finely reticulated or alutaceous and are entirely devoid of
punctures.
S. hrimnipes Lee— (Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. VIII, p. 179). —
This form is described as having ''pale brown legs." I have
thus far seen no such species in California, the legs of all
the Californian species here described being very dark.
SCOPJEODERA u g3D.
The species composing this genus have a distinctly Stili-
cioid outline and do not resemble Scojdbbus in outward form.
In addition to the characters given before, we may mention
the much longer legs and longer and more slender tarsi.
Besides nitidus Lee. this genus will perhaps comprise several
allied species described from South America by "Dr. Sharp,
and also those Central American species placed by this au-
thor in Scopaeus under group 4, together with the Colom-
bian S. pulchellus Erichs.
LEPTORUS B. gen.
The species assignable to this genus have a peculiar ap-
pearance and differ considerably from Scopa3us. They are
elongate, very slender, parallel, witli oblong prothorax hav-
ing the anterior angles more or less prominent, and the
sides parallel or slightly convergent behind and nearly
straight.
The genus is widely extended in its distribution through-
out the eastern portion of the United States, extending
through Mexico to Central America where it is represented
hjfilum, concolo?, Salvini, ohscurus, jyiceolus^hrevijjennis^ and
umbra, recently described by Dr. Sharp in the Biologia
Centrali-Americana. It will also include exigwus Er. and
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 221
picipes Cas. On the west coast it is replaced by Orus, hav-
ing a much wider neck and a distinctly different system of
punctuation ; this appears to extend down the western slope
of the continent, also to Central America, where it is repre-
sented by a species recently described by Dr. Sharp from
Guatemala,
Leptorus is probably a large genus, and the several
forms, which are often closely allied, should be described
with great care and constant attention to details if they
are to be even approximately identified by future reviewers.
■ In addition to the characters pointed out in the preced-
ing table, it should be stated that the eyes are situated just
before the middle, on the sides of the head; they are strong-
ly, longitudinally oval, very coarsely granulated, and have
on their upper edge in the middle a large, rather shallow,
spongiose fovea bearing a single very long seta.
In Orus the eyes are larger, less coarsely granulated,
more broadly oval, and have near the upper border, and in
a transverse line with the posterior margin, a small, deep,
setigerous puncture which is entirely nude. The puncture
in this case, though very near the eye, is entirely disengaged
from it, while in Leptorus the fovea, which is of an entirely
different structure, intrudes slightly upon the continuity of
the edge.
L. texanus n. sp. — Slender; sides parallel; moderately depressed; pale
rufo-testaceous, elytra clouded with piceous toward base; abdomen piceous,
very slightly paler toward tip; antenufe testaceous throughout; legs pal>^
flavate; pubescence excessively fine and short, dense except on the pronotuni
where it is sparse; integuments alutaeeous, except the pronotum which is
polished. Head slightly longer than wide; sides parallel, very feebly arcu-
ate behind the eyes; base transversely truncate; angles narrowly rounded;
surface transversely and rather strongly convex, excessively minutely and
densely punctate; punctures impressed, deep, slightly sparser along the
middle; eyes rather prominent, at twice their length from the base; antenrue
slightly shorter than the head and prothorax together, basal joint slightly
longer than the next two combined, second slightly longer and more robust
than the third, joints four to ten decreasing distinctly in length, the former
16— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 27, 1886.
222 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
slightly longer than wide, the latter a little wider than long, Prothorax very
slightly narrower than the head, one-third longer than wide, widest at one-
fourth the length from the apex; sides thence extremely feebly convergent
and nearly straight to the base, and very rapidly so and very feebly sinuate
to the apex which is very narrow; anterior angles obtuse, slightly rounded;
posterior rather broadly rounded; base broadly and very feebly arcuate; disk
transversely and feebly convex, excessively minutely punctate; punctures
about one-half as wide and more than twice as distant as those of the head,
slightly more sparse in the middle, where there is a narrow impunctate line,
and toward base a very fine, feeble and obsolete median stria. Elytra slightly
wider than the prothorax; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate posteriorly;
together broadly, angularly and very feebly emarginate behind; disk one-
fourth longer than wide, slightly longer than the pronotum, very feebly im-
pressed on the suture toward the base, extremely finely and rather feebly
punctate; punctures evenly distributed, scarcely as sparse as those of the
pronotum, distinctly asperate; suture finely margined with an elevated line
which is much finer near thescutellum. Abdomen at base slightly narrower
than the elytra and slightly narrower than at the apex of the fourth segment,
rather strongly convex, excessively finel}^ densely and subasperately punc-
tate; first four segments equal in length, the fifth one-half longer. Legs
rather short and robust; joints of the posterior tarsi decreasing very grad-
ually and uniformly in length, first slightly louger than the second and
shorter than the fifth. Length 2.5 mm.
Texas; (El Paso 2).
The type is a male, the sixth ventral segment being nar-
rowly and deeply emarginate; emargination very small, dis-
tinctly deeper than wide, sides nearly parallel and straight,
bottom broadly ronnded. In the female the sixth segment
is broadly and feebly angulate, the apex being broadly
rounded.
L. bicolor u- sp. — Slender; sides parallel; moderately convex; pale rnfo-
testaceous, four basal segments of abdomen piceous-black, last two slightly
paler; elytra clouded with piceous at base near the scutellum; antenu?e
throughout and legs pale rufo-testaceous, the latter slightly more flavate;
pubescence extremely short and fine, rather dense on the elytra and abdo-
men, i/earf slightly longer than wide; sides behind the eyes parallel and
very feebly arcuate; base truncate; angles narrowly rounded; eyes moderate,
slightly prominent, on ttie sides just before the middle; front transversely and
evenly convex, minutely reticulate, extremely minutely and rather densely
punctate; punctures more dense toward the eyes, less dense along the middle;
antennas one-half longer than the head, second joint slightly longer and more
robust than the third, joints two to five longer than wide, six to ten shorter,
NORTH AMERICAN COLBOPTERA. 223
equal in length, the latter slightly transverse. Prothorax widest at one-
fourth its length from the apex, where it is scarcely as wide as the head, one-
fourth longer than wide; anterior angles very narrowly rounded, decidedly
prominent; sides thence strongly convergent and feebly sinuate to the neck,
which is not excessively narrow, and distinctly convergent and very feebly
arcuate to the base which is trausverselj' truncate in the middle, two-thirds
as wide as the disk; angles somewhat narrowly rounded; disk transversely
and feebly convex, very minutely reticulate or subrugulose; excessively,
minutely punctate; punctures finer and more sparse than those of the
head, with a very narrow indistinct median impunctate line, and, toward
base a very feeble median carina which is finely striate along its crest.
Elytra at base very slightly wider than the pronotum; sides nearly par-
allel, feebly arcuate; together very feebly and broadly emarginate behind;
disk distinctly longer than wide, one-fifth longer than the prothorax; feebly
convex, broadly and feebly impressed along the suture, extremely minutely,
evenly and rather densely punctate. Abdomen very slightly narrower toward
base, feebly convex, very minutely and densely punctate. Anterior femora
nearly twice as robust as the intermediate, abruptly and deeplj'- sinuate on
the inner edge near the apex; tarsi very feeblj'- dilated, finelj^ and densely
pubescent beneath. Length 2.3 mm.
Texas; (Austin 5). ,
The anterior tibiae of the male exhibit verj striking char-
acters; they are distinctly dilated and have along the flat-
tened interior face six parallel, oblique rows oi short,
inclined set^e, the rows becoming shorter toward the apex.
The four posterior femora are distinctly compressed and
arcuately bent. The male has the sixth segment broadly
sinuate at apex, the sinus being four or five times as wide
as deep and rather narrowly rounded, the sides being very
gradually recurved; from beneath the sinuation, and appar-
ently attached to the seventh segment, there protrudes a
robust ligala, slightly longer than wdde, strongly convex on
its lower face, abruptly constricted at base, squarely trunc-
ate at apex, with the angles not- rounded; the upper face is
broadly concave, serving as a rest and guide for the male
generative organ; the latter in the present species is very
complex, being cylindrical, with two unequal lateral pro-
cesses, anoulate on the right and broadly rounded on the
left.
224 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The peculiarity of the anterior tibiae is apparently gene-
ric, or at least affects a large number of species.
L. versicolor u. sp. — Very slender; sides parallel; colors and pubescence
as in hicolor, except that the abdomen is dark fuscous and slightly paler at
apex. Head rather large; distinctly longer than wide; sides behind the eyes
feebly but distinctly divergent and feebly arcuate to the base which is broadly
and distinctly sinuate; angles rather prominent and narrowly rounded; front
broadly and feebly convex, not reticulate, shining, very minutely, evenly and
rather densely punctate; punctures separated by two or three times their
own diameter; antennae one-half longer than the head, second joint much
longer and more robust than the third, fifth very slightly longer than wide,
tenth very slightly wider than long. Prothorax widest at one-fourth its
length from the apex, distinctly narrower than the head; anterior angles
narrowly rounded, prominent; sides thence strongly convergent and distinctly
sinuate to the neck which is very slender, and distinctly convergent and
nearly straight to the base which is transversely truncate and three-fourths
as wide as the disk; angles somewhat narrowly rounded; disk one-third
longer than wide, feebly convex, very minutely, evenly punctate, scarcely
visibly subrugulose; punctures scarcely perceptibly more sparsely distributed
than those of the head; median stria toward base nearly obliterated. Elytra
at base scarcely perceptibly wider than the prothorax; sides distinctly diverg-
ent and very feebly arcuate; disk very feebly convex, very feebly impressed
along the suture toward base, minutely and feebly subrugulose, finely,
evenly, rather densely and subasperately punctate; slightly longer than
wide and just visibly longer than the pronotum. Abdomen nearly as in
hicolor, slightly more sparsely punctate. Length 2.1-2.5 mm.
Texas; (Austin and Waco).
The sixth segment in the male is broadly sinuate at apex,
the sinus being slightly less than four times as wide as
deep, rather acutely rounded; ligula long and narrow, per-
fectly flat, gradually wider toward the apex which is broadly
and extremely feebly sinuate, angles rounded.
The anterior femora and tibiae are as in hicolor, but the
former are not so robust as in that species. The form of
the head and the sexual characters will serve to distinguish
this species from the preceding, to which it is otherwise
closely allied.
L. longiceps u. sp.— Very slender, rather convex; 'sides parallel; head
and elytra pale brownish-testaceous; prothorax paler, more flavate; abdomen
dark fuscous, scarcely paler at apex; autennee and legs tbroughont pale rufo-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 225
testaceous; pubescence fine and dense throughout, longer on the head, less
conspicuous on the pronotum. Head much longer than wide; sides parallel
and distinctly arcuate; base transversely truncate; angles not prominent
though rather narrowly rounded; front transversely, rather strongly convex,
extremely minutely, feebly, evenly and not densely punctate; eyes at much
more than twice their length from the base; antennas short, scarcely longer
than the head, rather robust, second joint very slightly longer than wide,
slightly longer and much more robust than the third, tenth rather strongly
transverse. Frothorax very slightly narrower than the head, widest at one-
third its length from the apex; anterior angles very broadly rounded; sides
almost parallel and distinctly arcuate; base transversely truncate, angles
rather broadly rounded; disk nearly one-third longer than wide, moderately
and evenly, cylindrically convex, very minutely, evenly and rather densely
punctate; punctures appreciably closer than those of the head; throughout
the basal three-fifths there is a fine, well-marked, median stria. Elytra at
base distinctly wider than the prothorax and fully as wide as the head; sides
parallel and very feebly arcuate; together distinctly longer than wide and just
visibly longer than the pronotum; surface rather feebly convex, rather nar-
rowly and feebly impressed along the suture toward base, very minutely,
evenly and densely punctate; punctures slightly coarser and just appreciably
more dense than those of the pronotum. Abdomen very slightly narrowed to-
ward base, excessively minutely, feebly and rather densely punctate. Femora
and tibicTB as in hicolor. Length 1.9 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
This species is aberrant not only in the more broadly
rounded apical angles of the prothorax, the elongate head
and shorter antennae, but in the smaller eyes, more com-
pressed and truncate third maxillary palpal joint, and espe-
cially in the position of the spongiose setigerous fovea,
which is not at the middle of the upper margin of the eye
as in the other species, but behind the eye one-half the
length of the latter, and in a line with its upper margin.
The neck also is relatively much less slender than in the
other species. With exception of Leptogenius hrevicornis it
is the smallest Psederide described from our territories.
Unfortunately there is before me but a single representa-
tive, a female, so that the sexual characters of the male can-
not be given; the form is very distinct, however, and will
be easily recognizable.
The Central American species described by Dr. Sharp,
226 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
alluded to above, are apparently all distinct from those here
brought to notice. F'llum differs in the coloration of the
antenn^B and in the sexual characters; concolor decidedly in
coloration of the entire body; the (Bdeagus, however, is ap-
parently similar to that of hicolor; Salvini appears to be
closely allied to versicolor, but as no ligula is described in
alluding to the male sexual characters,' and as the elytra
appear from the figure to be longer and broader, and the
apical angles of the prothorax much less pronounced, the
two species are probably distinct, more especially in consid-
eration of the very different faunal regions involved. Oh-
scurus SiTid plceohts are very distinct in color; hrevipennis and
umbra differ altogether in structure. Exiguus Er. differs
radically in coloration.
Color appears to be a very constant character, as it is
practically the same throughout large series of several spe-
cies which I have before me.
ORUS Cas.
This genus, and the closely related Leptorus, constitute a
group differing remarkably from Scopseus and Scopseodera
in the structure of the intercoxal portion of the prosternum.
In Orus the posterior edge of the prosternum is more swol-
len than in Leptorus, and the median portion is, posterior-
ly, elevated into a longitudinal ridge which becomes the
lower edge of the intercoxal lamina. 0. lounctatus Cas. and
the species here described are the only known representa-
tives of this genus in the United States.'^
^— The ligula is present in all the species of this genus, but, j)roba-
bly only before copulation, is securely held within the long angular cleft of
the seventh segment, and is only pushed down and out of the cleft, so as to
be plainly visible, after sexual connection has occurred.
^. — By a very regrettable error it was stated by me (Bull. Cal. Acad.
Sci. I, p. 315) that the ligula in Orus is bicuspid. One of the very minute
teeth was in all probability hidden under a particle of dust, as the appear-
ance in the specimen examined was undoubtedly that of a bicuspid ligula;
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 227
0. parallelus u- sp.— Narrow, rather depressed; sides parallel; piceous-
black throughout; legs rafo-piceous; tarsi and autennse throughout paler,
rufo-fuscons; pubescence fine, rather sparse on the pronotum and elytra,
denser and more conspicuous on the head and abdomen ; integuments polislied,
head subalutaceous. Head \ery slightly longer than wide; sides distinctly
convergent anteriorly from the base, distinctly arcuate behind the eyes; base
broadly and extremely feebly arcuate; angles broaily rounded ; surface broadly
and feebly convex, very feebly impressed in the middle anteriorly, very mi-
nutely and densely punctate, also extremely finely and rather feebly subrugu-
lose; punctures not spirser but rather coarser along the middle; antennae
slightly shorter than the head and prothorax together; basal joint slightly
longer than the next two together, joints two to four sabequal in length,
slightly elongate, fifth very slightly shorter, joints five to ten decreasing rap-
idly in length, the former distinctly longer than wide, the latter very slightly
wider than long. Prothorax very slightly narrower than the head, oblong ; sides
extremely feebly convergent from apex to base and nearly straight; anterior
angles obtuse and broadly rounded; sides thence very strongly convergent to
the nuchal emargination which is two-fifths as wide as the disk and feebly in-
curvate; basal angles broadly rounded; disk transversely aud feebly convex,
two-fifths longer than wide, rather finely, feebly aud densely punctate; very
narrow median area impunctate throughout the length. Elytra at base
slightly wider than the pronotum; sides very feebly divergent, feebly arcuate
toward the apex; together broadly, angularly and very feebly emarginate be-
hind; disk slightly longer than wide aud slightly longer than the pronotum,
feebly convex, broadly and feebly impressed on the suture, more particularly
near the base, finely, rather densely, evenly and subasperately punctate; su-
ture finely margined with an elevated border which becomes rather abruptly
less than one-half as wide near the scutellum, where also it is not so strongly
elevated. Abdomen at base slightly narrower than the elytra; sides very feebly
divergent posteriorly; surface broadly convex, extremely minutely and densely
subsequent observation, however, of cleaner and more perfect specimens, re-
veals the fact that the ligula is tricaspid, hence the statements made upon
the apparent relationship of the ganus with Lithocharis (1. c. II, p. 36),
which were based primarily upon the assumption of a bideutate ligula most
be considered ill-founded. The wide departure of the genus from Scopgeus in
general form, but particularly in the relatively wide neck and prosternal struc-
ture, is very convincing proof that the time has come for a division of the
Soopaeoid species into distinct generic groups, and also points strongly to the
advisability of a division of Fthe Ptederini into two sections depending upon
the formation of the ligula.
Although Dr. Sharp has, in the Biologia Centrali-Anericana, correctly
placed the genus near Ssopaeus since the above was originally written, I still
deem it proper to publish the rectification in the same work in which the
error was committed.
228 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
punctate; fifth segment two-thirds longer than the fourth. Legs rather short;
posterior tarsi short, first and second joints equal in length, slightly longer
than wide, much shorter than the fifth; tibiae obliquely truncate and finely
fimbriate at tip. Length 3,3 mm.
California; (Napa and Sonoma Cos. 4).
The specimens are all females, the sixth segment being
broadly rounded behind. The present species is remarka-
ble for its long parallel prothorax, which is scarcely at all
produced in front of the apical angles. It may be distin-
guished from pundatus by its slightly larger size and much
liner and denser pronotal punctuation.
The oblique apical truncation of the hind tibiae appears
to characterize a large number of genera; the truncation is
slightly excavated and bordered exteriorly by an erect line
of long, slender, closely-placed setae.
The tabular statement of our Pasderini given in this
Bulletin (Vol. II., p. 38), requires modification since the
publication of the Central American genera by Dr. Sharp
in the Biologia Centrali-Americana, and as the assumption
upon which the positions of one or two genera are assigned
has been found to be erroneous, the following table is
offered as a substitute until the entire group can be revised.
This scheme would be much more useful if it could have
included all the American genera, but as in the present state
of literature there would be considerable doubt regarding
the position of several, I have thought best to restrict it for
the present to the genera occurring north of Mexico.
I — Ligula not tricufipid, usually bilohed.
Prosteruum membranous under and behind the coxte.
P^DERI.
A — Fourth tarsal joint normal, not bilobed.
Antennae anteriorly geniculate, first joint greatly elongate.
Neck broad; abdomen carinate at base Hesperoblum.
Neck uarroM'; abdomen not carinate Ababactus.
Antennae posteriorly geniculate, basal joint moderate in length.
First joint of the posterior tarsi not longer than the second.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 229
Labium bilobed Lathrobium.
Labium transversely truncate Trachysectus.
First joint of the posterior tarsi distinctly longer than the second.
Neck rather wide, not less than one-third as wide as the prothorax.
Anterior tarsi very slightly or not at all dilated.
Labrum 4-dentate.
Metasternum very long Caloderma.
Metasternum very short OligOpterUS.
Labrum bidentate Medon.
Labrum unidentate Lithocharis-
Labrum unarmed.
Deeply emarginate Dacnochilus.
Broadly and rather feebly siuuate Lena.
Labrum entire.
Elytra much shorter than the prothorax Liparocephalus.
Anterior tarsi strongly dilated.
Labrum unidentate Aderocharis.
Labrum entire, truncate Ramona.
Neck extremely slender; labrum bidentate Stilicus.
B — Fourth tarsal joint bilobed.
Labrum triangularly emarginate, unarmed PsBderus.
Prosternum corneous uuder and behind the coxse; the side pieces of the
pronotum connate with the intercoxal process.
SUNII.
Third joint of the maxillary palpi normal; fourth minute, subulate.
Posterior tarsi with the fourth joint lobed beneath.
Labrum bidentate Sunius.
Labrum 'arge, rounded, ciliate; elytra shorter than the prothorax,
Stilicopsis.
Third joint of maxillary palpi securiform; fourth minute, not subulate,
triangular, erect.
Fourth joint of the posterior tarsi not lobed, normal Leptogenius.
II — Ligula tricuspid.
Prosterual intercoxal lamina deeply emarginate anteriorly; neck extremely
slender.
Inflexed posterior portion of pronotal hypomera well developed.
Scopaeus.
Inflexed portion rudimentary Scop3BOdera.
Prosterual intercoxal lamina inferioiiy arcuate anteriorly.
Neck extremely slender LeptorUS.
Neck one-third as wide as the prothorax Orus.
230 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The sequence of genera in the above tabular statement is,
it must be confessed, unnatural in approximating Stilicus
and Piiederus, these being undoubtedly widely divergent
forms. It merely serves to show, however, that it is im-
possible to present in a linear arrangement, groups com-
posed of elements which are divergent from one or more
central types, and which can only be represented graphi-
cally by the diagrams adopted in chemical science to exhibit
the structure of a compound molecule, the various affinities
being shown by connecting lines.
If a linear arrangement be pursued, based upon the mod-
ification of any special organ or part of the body, similar
breaks must inevitably occur. Assuming, as above, that
the structure of the prosternum is of more importance than
that of the tarsi, the latter being in turn of greater moment
than that of the labrum or mandibles, we should isolate
Psederus as a group intermediate between the Lathrobii
and the Sunii, and it would not be consistent to separate
them by the the latter group, although it may include forms
which in a radial arrangement would be brought very near
certain types of the Lathrobii. Such for instance are
Stilicus and Echiaster, in distinguishing between which the
prosternal character loses some of the importance which it
is supposed to possess, unless we regard the similarity of
habitus as a mere coincidence. The latter I have assumed
in the case of Stilicus and Scopasus.
Notes.
Ababactus Sharp. — This genus is represented in our
fauna by A. nactiis Horn, and A. pdllidiceps Cas.
Trachysectus Cas. — Eepresented by T. conflitens Say.
Caloderma Cas. — Recent investigation shows this genus
to be similar in prosternal structure to Medon, from which
it is distinguished by several important characters. The
labrum is short, small, conical, very feebly explanate near
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 231
the sides, triemarginaie, the notches being similar in shape,
deep, the middle about twice as large as the lateral; later-
ally the apex is broadly sinuate, thus giving four small,
acute, prominent denticles. In Medon, as represented by
M./uscahisMeinn., the labrum is much larger, nearly flat,
broadly explanate at the sides, not at all sinuate laterally at
the apex, so that it is at most bidentate.
In comparing the European Medon, as for instance hrim-
neus Er,, with many of the American genera, there is one
feature relating to the metasternum which appears to have
been generally overlooked, and wdiich is indicated on the
upper surface by the length of the elytra. The metaster-
num in the European genus is remarkably short, strongly
convex, and much shorter than the intermediate coxae. This
appears to be a rather important character in the present
comparison, and distinguishes Caloderma at once, for in this
genus the metasternum is unusually w^ell developed, and is
more than one-half longer than the coxae, which in turn are
relatively distinctly smaller than in Medon.
The species having a rugulose pronotum are the most
highly developed forms of the genus, and should be consid-
ered typical, although much less numerous in species than
the form with punctate pronotum.
Oligopterus Cas. — Allied to Medon in prosternal and
metasternal structure. It differs from Medon in the struc-
ture of the labrum, which is here distinctly 4-dentate, and
from the more typical forms of that genus in the very
widely distant gular sutures, rapidly divergent toward base,
in this resj)ect being more closely allied to Pseudomedon
Eey. It differs from Caloderma in its very short metaster-
num.
Medon Steph. — This genus as represented in our fauna
will consist for the present of the two groups of species
previously placed by me in Lithocharis. There is another
group of nondescript species, occurring in the Southern
232 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
States, which may also be considered as Medon until future
investigation can be made with more ample material. These
three groups will then probably give rise to four allied
genera, or perhaps more properly, subgenera.
LiTHOCHAKis Lacord. — Represented in our fauna by och-
racea Grav. , alutacea Cas., and giiadricolUs Csls. The last
tw^o differ from the first in sexual characters — although they
have the characteristic comb-like sculpture at the apex of
the fifth segment — and in the smaller, more acute and prom-
inent labral tooth.
Metaxyodonta Cas.=LiTHOCHAKis Lacord.
LiPAROCEPHALUS Mann. — No description of the anterior
tarsi is given, and the position of the genus is assumed.
Aderochaeis Sharp. — Represented by A. corticina Grav.,
and possibly also by iahacina Cas.
EcHiASTER Er. — No species of this genus has yet occurred
within the United States, and it is therefore omitted from
the table.
SciocHARis Arrib. — Although Dr. Sharp intimates that this
genus may occur within our limits, I have not yet seen it.
It may be easily recognized by the very robust first and
second joints of the antennse. The labrum is bidentate
and the integuments are generall}^ very finely and densely
punctate.
APOCELLUS Ericbs.
A. niger n- sp. — Moderately robust, convex; upper snrfcice intense black
throughout, except the elytral suture which is dark piceo-te.staceons; metas-
teruum, abdomen and head beneath black; prosternum and side-pieces paler,
piceo-testaceons; antennae same toward base, black toward tip; legs pale
luteo-testaceous, femora shaded piceous in the outer half; pubescence ex-
tremely sparse; integuments highly polished. Head distinctly longer than
wide; sides behind the eyes distinctly convergent and rather strongly arcuate;
base truncate and very feebly iucurvate in the middle; augles very broadly
rounded, coarctate with the sides; eyes small, in the middle, rather promi-
nent; on a transverse line slightly less than their own length behind them,
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 233
there are t-wo small, widely distant, deeply impressed occipital foveae; antenna!
tuberculations slightly convergent posteriorly; epistoma distinct, declivous,
wider than long, very feebly arcuate at apex; labrum short, broad, rather
strongly and evenly emarginate throughout its width ; antennae slightly
longer than the head and prothorax together, rather strongly incrassate; sec-
oni joint much shorter than the third, longer than the fourth, tenth very
slightly wider thaa long. Prothorax widest at one-third its length from the
apex, where it is slightly wider than long and as wide as the head across the
eyes; sides thence very strongly convergent to the apex which is squarely
truncate and about one-half as wide as the disk, and rather feebly though dis-
tinctly convergent, evenly and distinctly arcuate to the base; the latter
broadly and extremely feebly arcuate, two-thirds as wide as the disk; angles
very obtuse and rather broadly rounded; sides at the apical third rather
broadly rounded; disk strongly convex, with a few very widely scattered se-
tigerous punctures. Elytra at base slightly wider than the prothorax; sides
rather strongly divergent, distinctly arcuate toward the apices; together trans-
versely truncate behind; disk rather depressed, abruptly strongly declivous
at the sides, slightly wider than long, nearly one-fourth longer than the pro-
notum; suture narrowly and strongly margined with an elevated line; surface
having a few very small, widely scattered, setigerous punctures having a ten-
dency to lineal arrangement. Abdomen at base very slightly narrower than
the elytra; sides parallel and nearly straight; border very thin, erect and deep,
nearly equal on the five basal segments; surface very finely and sparsely pu-
bescent and punctate toward the sides, almost impunctate in the middle.
Legs moderate in length; femora robust; third joint of the posterior tarsi less
than twice as long as the first and second together. Length 2.8-3.3 mm.
Texas; (Galveston 5).
The description is taken from the male, the sexual char-
acters of which are of the usual form in this section of the
genus; the double, posteriorly excavated emargination of
the sixth segment is scarcely more than one-third the width
of the segment, and the arched laminae of the seventh nearly
meet over the broadly rounded excavation; eighth segment
broadly impressed. It is a very distinct species and belongs
immediately after crassicornis in the list of the genus as
published by me (Cont. II, p. 153). The order of the species
has been changed in the recently published check-list of
Mr. S. Henshaw, so that the least characteristic forms of
the genus there head the list, while the species upon which
ErichsoQ founded the genus appear last. My only commen-
tary is a passing allusion; I cannot refrain, however, from
234 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
expressing the opinion that the reversal was unnecessary,
and that the order proposed is far less scientific than that
published in the revision above referred to.
ApoceUus brevipennis Cas. — Five specimens of this species
were recently taken, also at Galveston, Texas; it was orig-
inally described from a single specimen from Louisiana.
PHLCEOPTERUS Mots.
P. filicornis «• sp. — Rather robust, depressed, black throughout; tro-
chanters slightly paler, dark rufous; legs piceous-black; tibi<» much paler and
rufous toward tip; tarsi rufous; palpi fuscous; antennte black throughout;
pubescence rather long, very dense, subrecumbent and conspicuous, fasco-
cinereous in color; legs densely pubescent; tibia? abruptly nearly glabrous
in the apical fifth or sixth; tarsi glabrous, joints finely spinulose at the apices;
shining. Head as long as wide, depressed, transversely and rather strongly
impressed between the antennae, deeply and widely biimpressed between
the eyes; surface finely and rather densely punctate; ocelli very minute,
round, distant, on a line slightly in advance of the posterior margins of the
eyes; the latter very prominent; fourth joint of the maxillary palpi slii^htly
more than twice as long as the third, the latter not three times as long
as wide; antennae very long, slender and filiform, not in the least iucrassate,
two-thirds as long as the body; second joint much shorter than the third,
joints three to ten subequal in length, much elongated, eleventh slightly
longer, fusiform. Prothorax widest slightly before the middle; sides thence
very feebly convergent, feebly and evenly arcuate to the obtuse and rather
broadly rounded anterior angles and somewhat strongly convergent, rather
strongly and evenly iucurvate throughout to the basal angles, which are
nearly right and not at all rounded; base broadly and extremely feebly
arcuate throughout, three-fourths as wide as the disk and distinctly narrower
than the apex; the latter transversely truncate, feebly excurvate toward the
apical angles; disk scarcely one-third wider than long, transversely, rather
strongly and perfectly evenly convex; having at the middle of each side,
a very deep punctiform impression; flanks thence to the basal angles very
abruptly and strongly declivous; surface very finely, evenly and densely
punctate; punctures perforate. Elytra at base slightly wider than the pro-
notum; sides moderately divergent; humeral and apical angles very broadly
rounded; together broadly arcuate behind with the inner angles abruptly
and rather strongly rounded; disk nearly one-third longer than wide, slightly
more than twice as long as the pronotum, broadly and feebly convex, rather
coarsely, very evenly and densely punctate; punctures impressed, .'^lightly
more distant than those of the pronotum. Abdomen very short behind the
elytra, much wider than long, subalutaceous, very minutely, evenly and
rather closely punctate. Legs rather slender; first joint of the posterior
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 235
tarsi slightly longer than the next two together; anterior tarsi distinctly
dilated. Under surface of the abdomen minutely, densely and evenly
punctate. Length 5.0 mm.
California; (Placer Co. 1). Mr. Fuclis.
The mesosternum is minutelv and strongly rugulose and
a-lutaceous toward the middle, finely and imperfectly car-
inate posteriorly, more strongly so anteriorly, terminating
near the anterior margin in a small, abrupt, acute tubercle.
The abrupt loss of the dense pubescence at the tips of the
tibife is very remarkable.
This species is rather smaller and much more densely
punctate than longipalpus, and has a much less transverse
prothorax.
AMPHICHROUM Kraatz.
A. flavicorne n. sp. — Moderately robust, depressed; pronotum and elytra
glabrous; abdomen very sparsely pubescent laterally; male black, with the
Literal edges of the pronotum and elytra testaceous; female having the entire
disk of the pronotum rufo-testaceous and the elytra luteous, except the
suture, which is piceous; antennse pale flivate throughout; legs piceo-testa-
ceous; integuments polished. Head scarcely longer than wide, depressed,
densely, rather coarsely and deeply punctate in the middle; having a small,
punctiform impression at the base of each antenna; obliquely and very
deeply bifoveolate between the eyes; antennae moderate in length, less than
one-half as long as the body, rather slender; basal joint three-fourths as long
as the next two together, second two-thirds as long as the third and about as
long as the tenth, joints three to ten decreasing perceptibly in length and
increasing in thickness. Prothorax two-thirds wider than long, widest in the
middle; sides strongly and nearly evenly rounded, slightly more strongly
convergent toward the apex, which is broadly aT^d very feebly emarginate
and equal in width to the base and to the head; base truncate; apical and
basal angles broadly rounded, the former slightly the more narrowly so; disk
moderately and evenly convex, more strongly so at the sides, which are
narrowly and abruptly explauate, extremely sparsely, rather finely and very
unevenly punctate except along the sides and base, where the punctures are
much denser. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the prothorax; sides
very feebly divergent and nearly straight; together truncate behind; humeral
and exterior apical angles broadly rounded ; disk as long as wide, slightly
less than twice as long as the prothorax, depressed, more convex at the sides,
narrowly elevated along the suture except near the base, feebl}^, rather
sparsely and unevenly punctate. Abdomen as wide and long as the elytra;
sides strongly arcuate ; surface shining, extremely finely and feebly punctate,
236 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
very minutely, feebly and transversely reticulate, iegs moderate in length;
anterior tarsi feebly dilated. Length 3.5-i.O mm.
California; (San Francisco 2; Lake Co. 2.) Mr. Fuchs.
The pronotum lias a very small impressed fovea in the
middle at the base which is sometimes absent and some-
times replaced by a larger and more irregular impression
which, however, is not transverse as in florihundum.
This species resembles fioribimdiim Lee. in several char-
acters, especially in the punctate head and coloration of the
body, but differs remarkably in the antennae, which are of a
pale and pure flavate throughout in the former; the anten-
nae are piceous in floribundum except the three basal joints,
which are paler.
In all the species of Amphichroum here described, there
are visible on the first, or sometimes the second, exposed dor-
sal segment of the abdomen two small, approximate patches
of a more or less transversely oval shape, on which the pu-
bescence is excessively short and dense and usually of a
pale cinereous or bright fulvous color; they are also to be
seen in a similar position, but oblique in direction, on the
abdomen of Homalium algarum Cas. These pubescent and
very minutely rugulose areas, which are probably sensitive,
are not sexual, and appear to characterize a large portion of
the Homalini.
A. alutaceuiU n- sp. — Form rather slender, depressed; head and abdomen
black; pronotum, elytra, palpi and antean» toward tip rather pale castane-
ous; basal margin and sides of the pronotam very narrowly pale flavate;
antennae same toward base; elytral suture dark rufo-testaceous; legs dark
brownish-testaceous; pronotum and elytra rather densely pubescent; head
and abdomen very sparsely so; integuments shining. Head longer than
wide; surface depressed, impunctate, coarsely granulose, shining, broadly
and distinctly impressed between the antennae, obliquely, very finely and
feebly bistriate between the eyes; ocelli small, approximate, distinct;
antennae scarcely two-fifths as long as the body, slender, slightly incrassate;
basal joint very slightly longer than the second; joints two to ten nearly eqvud
in length, the latter one-half longer than wide, eleventh longer, obliquely
pointed at tip, cylindrical at base. Profhorax widest in the middle, where it
is scarcely one-fourth wider than long; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 237
throughout; apex very slightly narrower than the base, broadly and evenly
sinuate; angles rather narrowly rounded; base very feebly arcuate through-
out, angles rather broadly rounded; disk broadly, very evenly and rather
feebly convex, very narrowly and abruptly explanate at the sides anteriorly,
slightly more broadly and less abruptly so posteriorly, extremely finely,
evenly and rather closely punctate; punctures slightly asperate; intervals
finely aubgrauulose, subalutaceous. Elytra at base very slightly wider than
the pronotum; sides rather distinctly but very feebly divergent, very
feebly arcuate; humeral angles narrowly, apical broadly, rounded; together
truncate behind; disk depressed, broadly impressed in the middle; as long as
wide, slightly less than one-half longer than the pronotum, rather coarsely,
very evenly, closely and rather strongly punctate; pauctures subasperate;
intervals polished. Abdomen at base as wide as the elytra, at the apex of the
third segment nearly one-fourth wider; sides strongly arcuate; border rather
broad, feebly inclined; surface depressed; three visible basal segments
transversely impressed at base; segments two to four finely, evenly and rather
densely punctate; segments one, five and six impunctate; second visible
segment with two small, transverse, approximate, minutely rugulose and
apparently pubescent patches. Legs moderate in length, slender. Under
surface piceous-black, with exception of the pronotal and elytral hypomera,
which are flavate. Length 3.5 mm.
California; (Marin Co. 1).
This species resembles veterator in the general character
of its sculpture and pubescence, but differs greatly in
general form, and especiall}^ in its much less transverse
prothorax with but slightly arcuate sides.
A. pilosellum n. sp.— Males slender; females rather robust, depressed;
color rather pale veddish-testaceous, nearly similar in the two sexes; head
posteriorly, prothorax anteriorly, and elytra broadly and very indefinitely
toward the suture and apices, clouded with a slightly darker castaneous
tint; abdomen intense black throughout; antennae fuscous toward tip, basal
joints pale testaceous; legs rufo-piceous; pronotum and elytra finely and
sparsely pubescent, integuments shining. Head very slightly longer than
wide, rather depressed, glabrous, finely reticulate or subalutaceous, impunc-
tate, broadly and rather feebly impressed between the antennae, feebly,
finely and obliquely bistriate between the. eyes; antennae rather short, mode-
rately incrassate, less than one-half as long as the body; basal joint but
slightly longer than the third, second nearly as long as the first, as long as
the fourth, and slightly longer than the tenth, joints four to eight equal in
length, eight to ten decreasing, the latter but slightly longer than wide.
Prothorax widest in the middle, one-half wider than long; sides strongly
rounded in the middle, feebly convergent and nearly straight anteriorly and
17_BxjLL. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued November 27, 1886.
238 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
posteriori}'; basi) angles broadly roauded; apical more narrowly so; disk
evenly and moder itely convex, rather broadly and gradually explanate and
feebly reflexei at the sides, and especially near the basal angles, very obso-
letely impressed along the middle and in front of the scutellum, finely reticn-
late or subalntaceous, very finely, feebly and rather sparsely and evenly
punctate. Elytra at base very slightly narrower than the prothorax; sides very
feebly divergent, feebly arcuate; disk depressed, very slightly longer than wide,
two-thirds longer than the pronotum, rather strongly, coarsely and sparsely
punctate; intervals polished; punctures tending to form coarse, transverse
rugulse. Abdomen as wide as and distinctly longer than the elytra; sides
rather feebly convergent posteriorly, on the first four segments feebly arcu-
ate; border depressed, scarcely at all inclined; surface polished, nearly im-
jounctate in the middle, excessively minutely and feebly punctulate toward
the sides. Legs slender; anterior tarsi very feebly dilated; first joint of the
posterior as long as the next three together. Length 2.5-3.6 mm.
California; (Lake Co. 7). Mr. Fuchs.
Described from the male, which is more slender than the
female. The species belongs near puberulum Fauv., but
differs in its longer elytra and much sparser elytral punctu-
ation.
A, veterator Q* sp. — Moderately robust, depressed, dark piceous-brown ;
antennae toward base, narrow side and basal margins of the pronotum, and
under surface of the head and prothorax, pale testaceous; abdomen black
throughout; femora piceo-testaceous; tibiae and tarsi darker, piceous; anten-
nae iufascate toward tip; palpi fuscous; head and pronotum subalutaceous;
pronotum and elytra finely and densely pubescent, the latter shining. Head
rather small, scarcely as wide as long, transversely and feebly impressed be-
tween the antennffi, very finely, feebly and obliquely bistriate between the
eyes; surface rather coarsely and strongly reticulate or subgranulate, impunc-
tate; ocelli very small, round and distinct; antennas about one-half as long as
the body, moderately slender, all the joints distinctly elongate, joints four to
ten almost equal in length, the latter nearly one-half longer than wide, second
distinctly shorter than the third, the latter subequal in length to the first.
Proi^orax anteriorly as wide as the head, widest in the middle; sides very
slightly more strongly convergent anteriorly than posteriorly, evenly and
rather feebly arcuate throughout; apex distinctly narrower than the base,
broadly and feebly sinuate; the latter truncate in the middle, broadly arcuate
toward the basal angles which are broadly rounded; apical broadly rounded,
slightly less so than the basal; disk nearly one-half wider than long, evenly
and very moderately convex, rather abruptly and very narrowly explanate at
the sides anteriorly, broadly and very gradually explanate and feebly reflexed
toward the basal angles, very obsoletely and vaguely impressed before the
scutellum, finely and very feebly subgranulate, very minutely, feebly, Bubas-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 239
perately, evenly and rather closely punctate. Elytra at base scarcely as wide
as the pronotum; sides very feebly divergent, very feebly arcuate; outer apical
angles rather narrowly rounded; together truncate behind; disk depressed,
quaclrate, two-thirds longer than the pronotam, rather coarsely, very densely,
evenly, strongly and subasperately punctate. Abdomen as wide as and slightly
longer than the elytra; sides convergent and evenly arcaate to the apex; bo -
der rather strong, very slightly inclined; surface polished almost impunctate
in the middle, finely rather strongly and densely, subasperately punctate lat-
erally. Legs rather slender. Under surface finely, evenly and sparsely pubes-
cent; tibiae finely pubescent, sparsely and minutely spinulose. Length 3.0
mm.
California; (Lake Co. 2). Mr. Fuchs.
This species also belongs near puheridum, from which it
is easily distinguished by its much longer elytra. It bears
a very deceptive resemblance to the following species, so
that the identification and separation of the tw^o will require
some care.
A. crassicorne 'o.. sp. — Moderately robust, depressed, piceous-black; head
dark rufous; basal third of the pronotum and the lateral and anterior mar-
gins very narrowly pale testaceous; just behind the elytral humeri there is
on each side a small, very indefinite paler spot; under surface of the abdomen
and metasternum piceous-black; prosternum, head, legs throughout, palpi
and antennae toward base, pale brownish-flavate; antenna toward tip pice-
ous; head and pronotum subalutaeeous; elytra polished; head glabrous,
remainder finely and moderately densely pubescent. Head rather small,
finely reticulate and subrugulose, transversely impressed between the anten-
nae, finely, deeply and obliquely bistriate between the eyes; ocelli large, flat,
not distinctly limited, round; antennae rather strongly incrassate, scarcely
one-half as long as the body; joints four to ten decreasing very slightly
in length, the latter slightly longer than wide. Prothorax scarcely more than
one-third wider than long; anterior angles much more narrowly rounded than
the posterior; form and sculpture nearly as in veterator; punctures slightly
coarser and more distinct. Elytra at base fully as wide as the pronotum;
outer apical angles rather broadly rounded; together quadrate, two-thirds
longer than the pronotum, nearly as in veterator, except that the punctures
are obliterated along the apex. Abdomen in form nearly as in veterator,
punctate throughout; punctures fine, asperate, evenly and rather closely
placed, and more distinct toward the sides. Legs slender. Length 3.3 mm.
California; (Siskiyou Co. 1). Mr. Behrens.
The fourth joint of the maxillary palpi is nearly circular
in cross-sections and convex throughout, while in all the
240 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
other species which I have seen the fourth joint is more or
less deeply excavate interiorly, nearly throughout its length
and is, in addition, strongly heniin flavicorne.
Although the present species bears a remarkably strong
resemblance to veterator in its sculpture, it may be distin-
guished by its sparser pubescence, slightly more elongate
prothorax, much deeper interocular striae, but especially
by the form of the ocelli, which in this species are fully
twice as wide as in veterator, and more indefinite in outline;
no dependence is placed on color as this is known to vary
greatly; it is, however, strikingly different in the represen-
tatives of the two species.
A. floyibundam Lee. — One specimen which I have referred
to this species was collected by Mr. Fuchs in Lake Co.
The antennae are relatively longer and more filiform than in
any here described, and are piceous except the first three
joints and the bases of some of the succeeding ones.
The relationship of the species here described with those
given by Mr. Fauvel (Not. Ent. vii, p. 72), is best shown
by the following table, which is merely a continuation of
the one given by that author, with a few slight alterations.
Elytra shining, wifh more or less distinct punctuation.
Pronotum and elytra glabrous.
Pronotum polished.
Elytra with very sparse, nearly obsolete punctuation sparsum.
Elytra coarsely and generally distinctly punctate.
Head distinctly and densely punctate; elytra black or maculate with
testaceous, with the suture blackish or brownish.
Antennae piceous, three basal joints paler floribundlini.
Antennae clear flavate throughout .. .flavicorne.
Head impunctate.
Head shining, with two oblique striae between the eyes, .scutatum.
Head dull, granulose, strongly bifoveolate between the eyes.
laevicolle.
Head and pronotum alutaceous, size large testaceum.
Pronotum and elytra visibly pubescent or pilose.
Size large; pronotum and elylra very strongly and densely punctate, the
former distinctly impressed along the middle maculatum.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 241
Size rather small; prouotum very finely, elytra generally densely and
more coarsely panctate; pronotum not distinctly impressed in the
middle.
Elytra less than one-half longer than the pronotum.
Sides of the piothorax very strongly arcuate puberulum.
Sides of the prothorax very feebly arcuate alutaceUHl.
Elytra more than one-half longer than the pronotum.
Elytra coarsely and not densely punctate pilosellum.
Elytra very finely and densaly punctate.
Interocular strias very fine; ocelli minute and distinct, -veterator.
luterocular striae deep; ocelli large, not very well defined.
crassicorne.
Elytra dull, very finely and transversely rugulosa opaculum.
The genus is probably a very extensive one in California,
wliich region also appears to be very rich in the entire group
Homalini.
PELECOMALIUM n. gen. (Homalini).
Body depressed, winged; elytra longer than the prothorax; antenna fili-
form, very feebly incrassate, front not produced. Maxillary palpi with the first
joint small; second elongate, slender; third and fourth flattened, the former
slightly longer than wide, obconicai; fourth about one-half longer than the
third, strongly securiform. Labial palpi small; first joint very small;
second much wider and longer, slightly longer than wide, sides parallel, tip
transversely truncate; third slender, oblique, truncate at tip, sides nearly
parallel, much narrower and slightly longer than the second; second and
third joints flattened. Posterior tarsi very long and slender, shorter than
the tibia; first and second joints elongate, the former much the longer;
fourth deeply bilobed. Posterior tibise slender, terminateil by two slender,
unequal spurs and several small spines. Tibiae rather finely and sparsoly
pubescent, having a very few small lateral spines.
It will be seen from the above diagnosis that this genus
bears a great resemblance to Amphichroum, and in fact if
the palpi were removed, it would be almost impossible to
distinguish P. modestum from A. veterator, so great is the
resemblance in every feature of the body, antennae and
legs.
The two species described below may be recognized by
the following characters: —
Size large; elytra coarsely and rather sparsely punctate blnotatum .
Size small; elytra finely and very densely punctate modestum.
242 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
P, binotatum ^- sp. — Rather robust; body and legs throughout dark rufo-
test::ceous; head, abdomen, and under surface except the prosternuru, black;
elytra and hypomera rather paler and more Inteous; each elytron having a
median apical spot of piceous-black, clearly limited and very distinct ; antennae
piceous-black, three basal joints abruptly pale testaceous; palpi and man-
dibles same; head and prothorax alutaceous, remainder shining; pronotum
almost glabrous; elytra and abdomen finely and very sparsely pubescent,
the latter toward the sides only. Head slightly louger than wide, depressed,
neaily flat, transversely and feebly impressed between the antenme, finely,
not deeply and obliquely bistriate between the eyes; surface finely and
strongly granulose and subrugulose, impunctate; antennae scarcely two-fifths
as long as the body, very slightly flattened and incrassate toward tip; joints
one, and three to seven nearly equal in length and one-half longer than the
second; joints seven to ten rather rapidly decreasing in length, the latter
one-fourth longer than wide. Prothorax anteriorly as wide as the head,
wide^t in the middle, about one-fourth wider than long; sides parallel, evenly
and moderately arcuate throughout; apical angles rather narrowly rounded,
basal very broadly so; apex and base equal in width, the former broadly and
distinctly sinuate throughout, the latter very feebly and broadly sinuale
in the middle; disk very broadly and very moderately convex, narrowly
and obsoletely impressed along the middle, broadly and very feebly so near
the scutellum, narrowly and abruptly explauate anteriorly at the sides,
more broadly and gradually so thence to the base, finely and strongly retic-
ulate, excessively minutely, sparsely and feebly punctate except near the
sides and especially along the base, where the punctures are closer, larger
and deeper. Elytra at base as wide as the pronotum; sides feebly though
distinctly divergent; apical angles moderately broadly rounded; together
transversely truncate behind; disk depressed, about as long as wide, two-
thirds longer than the pronotum, finely margined along the suture, rather
coarsely, strongly, evenly and rather sparsely jjunctate. Abdomen about
as wide as, and slightly shorter than, the elytra; sides convergent and
strongly and evenly arcuate to the vertex; border rather narrow and feebly
inclined, finely and densely punctate; surface broadly polished and impunc-
tate in the middle. Legs slender. Length 4.7 mm.
California; (Marin Co. 1). Mr. Harford.
In the type of this very interesting species the middle
tibiae are broadly and strongly emarginate interiorly at
one-third the length from the apex, the others being per-
fectly entire.
P. modestum ^' sp.— Moderately slender; head and abdomen black; pro-
notum, except the lateral limbs, narrowly, and a short basal margin, antennae
toward tip, and elytra, dark blackish-castaneous, the latter having on each
side near the humeri a small, very indefinite spot of slightly paler tint; an-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 243
tenuse toward base, palpi, pronotal and elytral hypomera and anterior legs
pale testaceous; middle and posterior legs infuscate throughout; remainder
of the under surface blackish; head and prouotuua very feebly alutaceous,
remainder shining; head glabrous, pronotum and elytra finely and densely
pubescent. Head very slightly longer than wide, broadly and feebly im-
pressed between the antenute, finely, very feebly and obliquely bistriate
between the eyes; surface finely and rather feebly reticulate, impunctate;
ocelli small, round, distinct; antennae long and slender, more than one-half
as long as the body; joints one and thieesubequal in length, distinctly longer
than the succeeding ones; joints two and four to seven nearly equal in
length, tenth fully one-third longer than wide, cyliudro-obconical. Prothorax
anteriorly slightly narrower than the head, widest near the middle, where
the sides are nearly evenly and moderitely arcuate, slightly straighter to-
ward the apex and base and very slightly more strongly convergent in the
former direction; apex slightly narrower than the base, broadly and very
feebly incurvate; the latter broadly and very feebly arcuate; apical and basal
angles moderately broadly rouuded, the former the more strongly; disk
nearly one-half wider than long, moderately and evenly convex, not at all
impressed, abruptly and narrowly explanate at the sides anteriorly, more
broadly and gradually so toward the basal angles, where it is also slightly
reflesed, extremely finely, evenly, feebly, subasperately and rather densely
punctate, finely and distinctly reticulate. Elytra at base scarcely as wide as
the pronotum; sides very feebly divergent and arcuate; apical angles mode-
rately broadly rounded; disk depressed, quadrate, nearly three-fourths longer
than the pronotum, very densely, rather finely, deeply and evenly punctate.
Abdomen produced slightly at the apex, the last segment being rather long
and slender; as wide at base as the elytra, polished, feebly and finely punc-
tate near the sides, impunctate in the middle. Legs slender. Length
2.7 mm.
California; (Lake Co. 2). Mr. Fuchs.
Readily distinguishable from the preceding by its much
smaller size, more transverse prothorax, finer and much
denser elytral punctuation and coloration. Its approxima-
tion in appearance to Ampliichroum veterator has been before
alluded to, and is most remarkable; it is a smaller and
slightly more slender species than the latter, but in prono-
tal and elytral form and punctuation it is almost precisely
similar.
LATHRIM^UM Erichs.
L humerale ^' sp.— Rather robust, moderately convex; head blackish,
epistoma dark rufous; pronotum dark rufous, obscurely piceous in the
middle; elytra pale luteous, dark rufous at the apices, immediately before
244 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
which there is a large rather indefinite area of dark piceous obliquely
limited just behind the middle; on each elytron there is also, just before the
middle, a small obscure spot of dark castaneous, not attaining the suture,
and parallel to the oblique edge of the posterior spot; abdomen dark rufous;
entire under surface and legs bright rufo-testaceous; antennae piceous,
apical joint paler, first three joints very dark rufo-fuscous, nearly glabrous,
remainder finely and densely pubescent; integuments nearly glabrous; highly
polished. Head slightly wider than long, convex along the middle, broadly
impressed along the sides, obliquely and very feebly bisulcate between the
eyes, finely and not very densely punctate; sides behind the eyes short,
rectangular, ocelli rather large, very prominent; eyes moderately prominent ;
antennas distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax together, feebly
incrassate; third joint slender, distinctly longer than the second or fourth;
the latter subequal, distinctly longer than the fifth, which is nearly one-half
longer than wide; tenth slightly wider than long. Prothorax widest slightly
behind the middle, where it is three-fourths wider than long; sides thence
rather strongly convergent, strongly and evenly arcuate to the very broadly
rounded apical angles, and slightly less strongly convergent and straight to
the basal angles, which are obtuse and not rounded; edges finely serrulate;
base broadly and very feebly arcuate, four-fifths as wide as the disk and
wider than the apex; the latter truncate in the middle between the broadly
rounded and slightly advanced latertil apices; disk rather strongly convex in
tha middle, where there is a rather deep longitudinal sulcation, limited
laterally by two narrow well-defined ridges which terminate at one-third the
length from the base; on each side, exterior to these, there are two rather
strong, irregular elevations, thence to the lateral edges the surface is
broadly explanate and feebly reflexed, broadly and very feebly impressed at
the middle of each side; surface very coarsely, deeply and irregularly punc-
tate; punctures sparser toward the sides. Elytra one-third wider than the
pronotum, at base equal to it in width; sides nearly parallel and somewhat
strongly arcuate; together broadly subtruucate behind; exterior angles
broadly rounded; disk strongly convex, slightly less strongly declivous
behind than on the sides, nearly one-third longer Ihan wide, two and one-
half times as long as the pronotum, coarsely, deeply punctate; punctures
closely placed in rather well-defined strife; inlervals rather feebly convex, the
third and seventh more strongly so; the latter near the humeri very strongly
so. Abdomen very short and narrow behind the elytra, having two almost
impunctate segments exposed. Legs long and very slender; posterior tarsi
short, first two joints slightly elongate, the first slightly the longer; fifth
much shorter than the first four together. Length 4 3 mm.
California; (Humboldt Co. 1).
The under surface, except the pronotal hypomera, and
including the elytral hypomera, is very coarsely and deeply
punctate; the abdomen finely subalutaceous and almost
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 245
impunctate. The femora are very sparsely pubescent, the
hairs being very short, stout and recumbent; the tibiae
finely and densely spinulose. The mesosternum is finely
carinate in the middle anteriorly. The maxillary palpi are
very slender and filiform, the third joint being twice as long
as wide, the fourth being very slender, pointed and more
than twice as long as the third.
This species differs from pldum Fauv. in elytral structure,
that species having all the elytral intervals equally and very
feebly convex, and from suhcostatum Miikl. in the shape of
the prothorax.
OROBANUS Lee.
0, mfipes n- sp. — Rather slender, cuueate; black throughout except the
eleventh joint of the antennae which is testaceous, and the legs which are
rufous throughout; integuments shining; pubescence rather long, very tine,
dense, recumbent, dark grayish-brown in color. Head moderate; eyes at
nearly their own length from the base, moderately prominent, rather finely
granulate; sides behind them feebly convergent and strongly arcuate, promi-
nent; front feebly convex, very finely and extremely feeblj' punctate; having
on a line slightly in advance of the middle of the eyes two deeply impressed,
narrow, oblique and very short caualiculate punctures; ocelli minute, circu-
lar; antennas moderate, slender, filiform, slightly less than one-half as long as
the body; joints two to six subeqiial in length, the former slightly more robust
and very slightly shorter; joints six to ten decreasing in length, the former
nearly three times as long as wide, the latter distinctly thicker and three-
fourths longer than wide, eleventh slender, shorter than the two preceding
together, finely acuminate, compressed near the tip. Prothorax cordate,
widest at one-third its length from the apex, where it is distinctly wider than
the head and very slightly wider than long; sides very moderately conver-
gent posteriorly, deeply and evenly incurvate throughout, strongly arcuate
anteriorly; basal angles slightly obtuse, very slightly rounded; base broadly,,
evenly and very feebly arcuate, about three-fourths as wide as the disk
and very slightly wider than the apex; the latter broadly, evenly and just
visibly emarginate; apical angles almost obsolete; disk strongly and nearly
evenly convex, having near the base a transverse row of small feeble erosions,
and at each side, just before the middle, a rather strong impression which is
continued posteriorly, gradually becoming more feeble and disappearing
before reaching the basal angles; very finely, feebly, evenly and somewhat
densely punctate. Elytra at base slightly wider than the prothorax, widest
at the apex where together they are slightly less than twice as wide as the
prothorax; sides nearly straight; each elytron broadly rounded behind; hu-
246 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
uieri broadly rounded; disk depressed, with a feebly impressed line on each
]iarallel and near the suture, minutely, evenly, very feebly and not very
densely punctate, slightly more than twice as long as the prothorax, one-
third longer than wide. Abdomen at base slightly narrower than the elytra;
sides convergent to the apex, strongly and evenly arcuate; extremely minutely,
densely and aspevately punctate. Legs slender; first joiut of the posterior
tarsi distiDctly longer than the next two together, ^much longer than the fiftb.
Length 3.0-3.7 mm.
California; (Hoopa Val., Humboldt Co. 7).
The type is a male, the sixth segment being broadly and
feebly emarginate at tip; in the female the prothorax is
much more distinctly wider than long and less strongly
cordate; the antennae are slightly shorter and do not attain
the middle of the elytra; in size the female is smaller than
the male.
There is scarcety a trace of a median sulcation on the
pronotum, the sides of which are more deeply sinuate to-
ward the basal angles than in either densus or the Vancou-
ver representative of simulator. The species is chiefly re-
markable because of its slender form, sparse punctuation
Mud rufous legs. It was found in wet moss in the interior
of a flume for conveying spring-water.
0. densus ^- sp. — Eather robust, depressed; body entirely black above and
beneath, oral organs rufo-testaceous; 1-gs fuscous throughout; antennae en-
tirelv piceous-black; pubescence cinereous, rather short, recumbent, extremely
dense; inte^iuments shining. Head moderate, slightly longer than wide;
sides behind the eyes strongly convergent to the neck and strongly arcuate;
eyes rather prominent, large, coarsely granulated, very densely setose; front
depressed, feebly biimpressed between the eyes, finely and densely punctate,
more sparsely so along the middle; antennae filiform, fully one-half as long as
the body; basal joint subcylindrical, three times as long as wide, second two-
thirds as long as the third, the latter slightly shorter than the first, joints
three to six equal, slender, six to ten gradually diminishing in length, the lat-
ter more than twice as long as wide, eleventh fusiform, slightly oblique at tip,
one-half longer than the tenth. Prothorax widest at the anterior third, where
it is distinctly wider than long and slightly wider than the head; sides strongly
arcuate, strongly convergent and distinctly and evenly sinuate toward the
basy; apex transversely truncate, about equal in width to the base which is
broadly, evenly and very feebly arcuate; basal angles slightly obtuse, very
narrowly rounded; disk transversely, evenly and moderately convex; impress-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 247
ed iu the middle near the lateral edges, the impression becoming extinct to-
ward the basal angles, finely, evenly and very densely punctate. Elytra at
base two-fifths wider than the prothorax; sides distinctly divergent, nearly
straight, slightly obliquely truncate at apex; exterior angles broadly, inner
more narrowly, rounded; humeri broadly rounded; disk feebly convex, broadly
and feebly impressed on the suture towaid base, nearly one-third longer than
wide, two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, very finely, evenly and
extremely densely punctate. Three segments of abdomen exposed together
wider than long» as wide as the base of the elytra; margin distinct, inclined;
surface feebly convex, finely, very feebly and very densely punctate. Under
surface and legs finely and dens3ly pubescent, less densely so toward the tip
of the abdomen. Length 3.4-3.9 mm.
California; (San Diego 3). Mr. W. G. W. Harford.
Distinguishable immediately from the preceding by its
more depressed and broader form, more parallel elytra,
nearly three times as dense punctuation, darker legs, etc.
It differs from simulator in its much denser punctuation and
more depressed form.
The three species may be distinguished as follows, the
characters of simulator being taken from a specimen from
Yancouver Island, kindly loaned me by the Museum of
Comparative Zoology at Cambridge : —
Legs dark fuscous.
Surface polished; strongly convex '. simulator.
Surface under low power dull ; very depressed densUS.
Legs clear rufous; punctuation more sparse; form more slender rufipes.
Since it is now known that there are several distinct spe-
cies of this genus, the absolute identity of the Vancouver
specimens taken by Crotch with simulator Lee, which was
described from tlie regions east of the Rocky Mountains,
may reasonably be questioned; a careful comparison of the
two is therefore very desirable. By careful comparison of
the above Vancouver type with the description given by Dr.
Le Conte and M. Fauvel, I am inclined to believe that the
former is a fourth species, hitherto undescribed. M. Fau-
vel mentions the prothorax as being longer than wide; if
this is actually the case, it is very distinct from any of the
248 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
specimens before me, all of which have it distinctly wider
than long.
ACTIDIUM Matth.
A. rotundicolle d. sp.— Rather robusi-, strongly convex, piceous-black;
legs and palpi pale flavo- testaceous; antennre pale testaceous at base, becom-
ing piceous-black at apex; pubescence fine, very short, not at all dense;
integuments shining, subalutaceous. Head much wider than long, rather
convex, very minutely and sparsely punctate; eyes moderate, rather prom-
inent, coarsely granulate; antennae as long as the head and prothorax
together; funicle slender; club robust; joints increasing in length and thick-
ness. Prothorax slightly wider than the head, about equal in length, two-
thirds wider than long; sides parallel and strongly, evenly arcuate; base
broadly arcuate, distinctly sinuate laterally; basal angles obsolete; apex
broadly truncate; disk broadly, evenly convex, very minutely reticulate or
subgranulose, minutely, evenly and sparsely punctate. Scutellum small,
equilatero-triangular, coarsely asperate. Elytra at base as wide as the pro-
thorax; sides parallel for two- thirds the length from the base, rather strongly,
evenly arcuate, thence feebly convergent, very feebly arcuate to the apex
which, conjointly, is rather abruptly truncate; exterior angles broadly
rounded, inner angles narrowly rounded; disk widest at nearly two-fifths
its length from the base, nearly one-half longer than wide, one-half longer
than the head and pronotum together, strongly cylindrically convex, minutely,
densely reticulate or subgranulose, shining, very minutely, evenly, rather
sparsely, subasperately punctate; punctures without definite arrangement.
Legs rather long, somewhat slender; posterior tibiae very slender toward
base; rapidly dilated, widest at the apical third, compressed; tarsi short,
very slender. Length 0.4 mm.
Texas; (Galveston 2).
This species differs from those previously described from
California in the sculpture which is much more feeble, and
in the form of the prothorax. It is as robust as vobustuluni
and does not appear to possess many characters in common
with the three species described by Mr. Matthews.
PTILIUM Erichs.
P. sulcatum «• sp. — Rather slender and convex; sides nearly parallel;
color pale brownish-testaceous, antennae and legs slightly paler, more flavate;
integuments coarsely sculptured, shining; pubescence fine, subrecumbent,
not very dense. Head moderate in size, much wider than long, triangular;
surface moderately convex, rather coarsely, irregularly and feebly tubercu-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 249
late; eyes small, at the base, convex, prominent, coarsely granulate; antennae
rather long, distinctly longer than the head and prothorax together; two
basal joints robust; funicle very slender; club strong, joints increasing in
length and thickness. Prothorax widest at two-fifths its length from the
apex, where it is distinctly wider than the head, one-half wider than long;
sides strongly arcuate anteriorly, strongly convergent and very feebly sinuate
toward base; the latter broadly, extremely feebly arcuate throughout, very
slightly narrower than the apex, nearly three-fourths as wide as the disk;
apex transversely truncate throughout; basal angles obtuse, scarcely percep-
tibly rounded; disk transversely, moderately convex, densely, feebly, irregu-
larly tuberculate or gianulose, the tubercles nearly confluent and differing
greatly in size; in the center there is a small, strongly marked canaliculation
two-fifths as long as the disk, and, at each basal angle, a small impressed
puncture. Elytra at base as wide as the prothorax; sides parallel, distinctly
and nearly evenly arcuate; together abruptly, very broadly rounded behind;
apex broadly truncate; disk widest in the middle, where it is distinctly wider
than the prothorax, nearly one-half longer than the head and prothorax to-
gether, rather depressed in the middle, rather abruptly, strongly convex at the
sides, finely, evenly, not very densely, subasperately punctate; asperities not
definitely arranged. Scutellum moderate, asperate, triangular, slightly wider
than long. Under surface pale brownish-testaceous, except the abdomen
toward base, which is dark, blackish-piceous. Legs rather slender, short;
tarsi rather short, very slender. Length 0.35 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
This sj)ecies can be readily recognized by its very minute
size, there being but one smaller species of Coleoptera
known; it is also distinguished by the peculiar form and
structure of the prothorax. The metasternum appears to
extend to the elytra at the sides.
P. Hornianum Matth., which is of about the same size as
the present sj)ecies, differs from it in color, shape and
sculpture.
SMICRUS Matth.
S. americanus n- sp.— Rather elongate; sides parallel; body depressed,
black; legs and antennae pale, dusky yellow; pubescence rather long, recum-
bent, not very dense; integuments shining. Head large, triangular, slightly
wider than long; eyes large, strongly convex, prominent, coarsely setose;
surface feebly conavex, smooth, obsoletely and finely reticulate; labrum prom-
inent, acutely rounded; second joint of antennae distinctly shorter than the
first, both rather slender and elongate. Prothorax as long as the head, very
slightly wider, three-fourths wider than long, widest in the middle; sides
250 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
parallel, evenly and very feebly arcuate throughout, not at all constricted at
base; apex broadly, very feebly and evenly emarginate throughout its width;
angles slightly acute, very narrowly rounded; base transversely truncate and
straight throughout its width; angles nearly right, not rounded; disk broadly,
feebly convex, more strongly so near the sides, not very densely covered with
rather fine, flat, somewhat indefinite tubercles. Scutellum large, triangular,
feebly, rather densely asperate. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax;
sides parallel, nearly straight, abruptly transversely truncate behind; outer
angles narrowly rounded; disk scarcely one-fifth longer than wide, very
slightly longer than the head and prothorax together, depressed in the mid-
dle, rather convex at the sides, finely, feebly, not very densely asperate;
asperities not definitelv arranged. Abdomen with four fully exposed seg-
ments, the fifth, the basal, also being almost completely exposed; together
as long as wide; outline parabolic; surface rather convex, rather finely, not
densely, very feebly asperate or subgranulose, margined laterally with a flat
border, becoming attenuated posteriorly; last segment as long as the three
I)receding together, rounded at apex. Legs rather short and robust. Length
0.9 mm.
Texas; (Austin 1).
The entire abdomen, extending under the elytra, is com-
posed of eight segments; the under surface is polished and
very feebly transversely asj)erate along the apex of each
segment, and the apical two-thirds of the terminal; the
latter at apex has a narrow, porrected, pale membranous bor-
der. The antennae in the type are missing with exception
of the two basal joints.
The apex of the abdomen, more especially beneath, and
the sides of the elytra toward the base, are slightly pale.
The abdominal border beyond the elytra is not apprecia-
bly elevated, and its surface is almost continuous in con-
vexity with that of the upper surface; under the elytra and
toward the base of the abdomen it becomes thinner, deep
and erect.
This species differs greatly from filicornis Fairm. in the
structure of the pronotum, which is not at all constricted
at base.
DITAPHRUS n. gen. (Byrrbid^e.)
Body oval, pubescent. Head deflexed, retractile; eyes large, rather coarsely
granulated, nearly hidden in repose, front excavated at the sides near the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 251
eyes for the reception of the antennae when in repose; episfcoma very small,
deflexed, divided by a fine distinct, straight suture; labrum small, transverse,
vertical, detached from and covered by the epistoma; antennae inserted under
the Hides of the front, immediately before the eyes, 11-jointed, base thick,
gradually diminishing in thickness to the sixth joint, seven to nine very small,
tenth wider, small, transverse, eleventh widest, longer than wide, ovoidnl,
maxillary palpi small, last joint slightly longer than wide, ovoidal, pointed,
slightly compressed. Prosternum well developed, transversely truncate an-
teriorly, widely separating the anterior coxae; process transversely truncate at
apex, on the same level and in contact with the anterior edge of the mesos-
ternum; the latter extremely short, strongly transverse, very broadly and
feebly emarginate anteriorly; metasternum large, long; episteruum narrow,
elongate, obliquely truncate anteriorly, widest and angulate interiorly near
the apex; metasternum slightly excavated at the side anteriorly for the recep-
tion of the tips of the intermediate femora, the excavation extending very
deeply and obliquely into the base of the elytrai hypomera. Anterior coxse
very small, transverse, attenuate laterally, open behind, widely separated;
trochanters large; middle cox» not at all prominent, transversely oval, very
widely separated; trochanters large; posterior coxae strongly transverse, at-
taining the metasternal episterua, short, distinctly separated. Ventral seg-
ments five; three basal not distinctly connate; first four uniformly and grad-
ually decreasing in length; fifth as long as the two preceding together; first
segment deeply and transversely excavated at base for the reception of the
posterior femora. Prothorax short, broad; sides with an acute edge; inflexed
sides divided from the prosternum by a very distinct suture; prosternum lat-
erally and inflexed sides deeply and transversely excavated for reception of
the anterior femora; pronotum excavated laterally at apex for reception of
antennal club. Scutellum small, triangular. Elytra convex, covering the en-
tire abdomen; hypomera distinct, extending only for two-fifths the length
from the base, devoid of hypopleurje. Legs short, rather slender; femora not
very robust, excavated along the lower edge for reception ofthetibite; tbe
latter simple, rather slender, not grooved, having a line of short, very fine,
densely placed cilia along the outer edge; tarsi free, rather short, five-jointed
joints simple; first of the anterior as long as the next two together; two to
four very small; fifth as long as the three preceding together; claws divergent,
small, simple, slender.
This genus is very remarkable in antennal structure, in
its excavated pronotum and many other characters. The
single representative almost exactly resembles a minute
Scymnus in external form.
The median portions of the three sterna form a continu-
ous surface from the head to the posterior coxae, the meso-
252 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
sternum being not at all depressed or impressed, and divided
from the metasteruum bj a very feeble straight suture.
Ditaphrus is related to Bothriophorus Muls., but is very
distinct in antennal structure and in the form of the proster-
num, this not being broadly emarginate at apex, nor " pos-
terieurement retreci en point," as in the latter. From Phy-
semus Lee. it is apparently distinguished by its antennal
structure.
D. SCymnoides n. sp. — Form elliptical, distinctly longer than wide, con-
vex, black; under surface, legs and antennae fuscous; integuments alutaceous;
pubescence fine, pale, short, subrecumbent, rather dense. Head rather
small, wider than long; surface broadly, evenly convex, finely, deeply and
densely punctate; punctures coalescent and scabrous at base; antennae as long
as the width of head; occiput margined laterally along the eyes with a nar-
row impressed channel for the reception of the antennae which joins the deep
apical excavation of the pronotnm. Prothorax about three times as wide as
long; sides convergent anteriorly, feebly arcuate; base broadly arcuate, ab-
ruptly more strongly so in the middle; apex broadly emarginate; surface
broadly convex, very minutely, deeply, evenly, not very densely punctate;
punctures separated by three or four times their own diameter. Scutellum
slightly longer than wide. Elytra, viewed vertically, nearly three times as
ongas the head and prothorax together, widest at one-third the length from
the base; sides strongly arcuate, coarctate with those of the pronotum, evenlj''
rounded to the apex which, conjointly, is rather narrowly rounded; surface
strongly convex, rather finely, evenly, deeply and moderately densely punc-
tate; punctures decidedly larger than than those of the pronotum, distant by
two to three times their own diameters. Legs short; tarsi slightly reflexed.
Under surface alutaceous and minutely punctate; abdomen finely, rather
densely pubescent. Length 0.8-1.0 mm.
Texas; (Austin 11; El Paso 1).
Rather abundant amongst decaying vegetable matter on
the soft mud left by the receding water of the Colorado
Biver. The antenna is figured on the plate and is seen to
be of very singular structure. Tiie club in Physemus, the
only genus with which this can be confounded, is described
as being three-jointed and almost solid. It is also highly
probable that Physemus is distinct from Bothriophorus.
These three genera should be separated as a group distinct
from Limnichus.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 253
In the Californian species of Limnichus, the prosternum is
very long, prolonged between the coxa3, the apex of the
process being strongly rounded and entering a deep emar-
gination of the mesosternum ; along the middle the surface
is deeply grooved. The first two ventral segments are sub-
equal in length, the first three connate. The first four joints
of the anterior tarsi are short, equal and together but slightly
longer than the fifth. The antennae are eleven-jointed; club
loose, three-jointed, joints gradually increasing in thickness;
first joint, as in Ditaphrus, deeply seated in the lateral ex-
cavation of the front.
I have carefully verified this observation reo-arding the
number of antennal joints in three or four species of Limni-
chus and several specimens of Ditaphrus, and can state with
great certainty that the antennae are not 10-jointed, as rep-
resented (Class. Col. N. A., LeConte and Horn pp. 159,
161). Du Yal had already corrected this error in his classic
work on the genera of European Coleoptera (Vol. II, p. 267
foot-note).
ELEATES u. gen. (Teuebrionidae).
Body oblong, strongly convex. Epistoma and sides of the front coarctate
at apex, very broadly and evenly arcuate; front distinctly dilated before the
ej^es; the latter small, completely divided by the lateral edges, more than
their own length in front of the prothorax; epistoma transverse, enclosed by
the front; suture distinct and impressed in the middle. Maxillary palpi
scarcely at all dilated; third joint distinctly longer than wide, slightly shorter
than the second; fourth twice as long as wide, distinctly longer than the
second, subcylindrical, slightly bent and compressed, obliquely truncate at
tip. Labial palpi rather small; third joint most robust, longer than the first
two together, ovoidal, narrowly and obliquely truncate at tip. Mentum mod-
erate, wider than long, its plane below the general surface of the head; ligula
large, strongly and broadly bilobed; lobes almost entirely exposed. Maxilla?
exposed at the sides. Antennse gradually and very strongly incrassate, very
strongly compressed; second joint globular, one-half as long as the third;
the latter longer than the succeeding joints; four to seven, densely spougiose
at the exterior apical angles; the remainder more extensively so and at both
apical angles; joints more strongly pointed outwardly than on the inside;
five to ten transverse, the latter very strongly so; eleventh large, as wide as
the tenth, as long as wide, obliquely conoidal; antennal grooves deep near
the eyes, obliterated in the middle. Anterior cox^e transversely oval,
18— Bull. Gal. Acad. Scr. II. 6. Issued November 27, 1886
254 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
strougly convex, slightly separated. Middle coxae with small trochanters;
posteiior transverse, separated by a triangular process of the first ventral
segment. Tibiee scarcely dilated; spurs small but distinct, unequal; tarsi
moderate, setose beneath, the posterior more densely so at base; last joint
slightly longer than the preceding together; first four joints of the anterior
aud middle very short equal; t^.rst of the posterior as long as the next two com-
bined. Elytral hypomera continuous throughout the length, rather narrow,
strongly inflexed, nearly equal in width throughout, slightly concave near
the base, elsewhere plane. Prothorax transverse; sides of the pronotum very
abruptly and narrowly explanate or feebly reflexed ; edges neither denticulate
nor crenulate. Elytra finely costate; intervals punctate.
The affinities of this genus are very readily seen to be in
the direction of Bolitophagus and Eledona; it agrees with
the first in the structure of the front and eyes, but differs
in appearance, in this respect agreeing more closely with
Eledona, from which, in turn, it differs radically in the
structure of the eyes. In Eleates the epistoma is separated
from the labrum by a very short, coriaceous bond, as is usual
in this group, but the eyes are well in advance of the pro-
thorax. It differs from both Bolitophagus and Eledona in
the non-denticulate sides of the prothorax, a character con-
sidered more or less important by Lacordaire and Du Val,
who divide the European genera into groups depending
upon the presence or absence of denticulations.
E. OCCidentalis u. sp.— Eather robust; sides nearly straight and parallel;
black throughout; legs, palpi and antennae dark rufo-fuscous; glabrous; in-
teguments rather finely sculptured. Head nearly twice as wide as long; apex
very narrowly reflexed throughout; surface near the apex and in front of the
eyes slightly tumid; front broadly and feebly convex, extremely densely,
rather deeply and coarsely punctate; punctures very much finer and obsolete
on the epistoma. Prothorax widest near the base, where it is two-thirds wider
thin the head and twice as wide as long; sides feebly convergent from base to
apex, feebly arcuate; base broadly arcuate, more strongly so in the middle;
angles slightly obtuse, not rounded; apex slightly narrower than the base,
broadly aud rather strongly emarginate; angles slightly prominent, anteriorly
narrowly rounded; disk broadly, strongly and very evenly convex, rather
coarsely, evenly, deeply and excessively densely punctate; punctures poly-
gonal, intervals in the form of very narrow, strongly elevated lines. Scutellum
broader than long, rounded behind. Elytra at base slightly wider than the
XJrothorax; sides nearly parallel and straight to within a very short distance
of the apex, where, together, they are abruptly and very2broadly rounded •».
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 255
humeral angles distinctly rounded; sides narrowly reflexed, edges acute;
disk broadly and very strongly convex, nearly three times as long as the
pronotum; ridges very fine, rather feebly elevated; intervals evenly concave,
each with a single series of round, rather deep punctures, distant by feli^htly
more tbaa their own widths; along each side of the immediate crests of the
costse there is a line of very small, round, closely-placed areolae; remainder
of the surface slightly and irregularly roughened or subalutaceous, mode-
rately shining. Legs moderate; femora compressed, excavated beneath
through two-thirds the length for the reception of the tibiae; tibial spurs situ-
ated at the inner apex, arranged parallel to the lower edge of the apex and
almost in line with the point of insertion of the tarsi, claws large, simple,
divergent. Length 4.5-5.0 mm.
California; (Trnckee, Nevada Co. 2). Mr. Harford.
The lateral edges of the prothorax are sometimes ex-
tremely feebly and irregularly undulated.
This species, the fiist of its tribe to be announced from
the Pacific slope of the continent, lives in fungus growing
upon fallen logs.
BARINUS n. gen. (Curculiouidse.)
Body rather slender and elongate, clothed with large, elongate scales, entirely
without hairs. Beak very short, rather stout, much shorter than the pro-
thorax, slightly flattened, rather strongly arcuate; scrobes beginning slightly
before the middle, descending obliquely to the eyes; the latter large, vertically
oval, not very prominent, finely granulated; interocular surface scarcely wider
than the beak, feebly impressed. Antennae rather slender; first joint of
funicle slightly shorter than the scape, rather strongly clavate, very slender
toward base, nearly as long as the remainder of the funicle; second to seventh
nearly equal, cylindrical, more slender than the apex of the first; club abrupt,
very elongate, oval, finely pubescent, slightly longer than the preceding six
joints of the funicle combined. Prothorax without postocular lobes. Pio-
sternam rather long in front of the coxEe, rather narrowly and deeply sulcate
throughout its length, moderately separating the coxae. Middle and posterior
coxae widely separated. Metasternum longer than the first ventral segment.
First two segments of the abdomen rather long, nearly equal in length; su-
ture almost entirely obliterated in the middle; third and fourth segments
short, equal, together scarcely longer than the first; fifth rounded behind, us
long as the third and fourth together; posterior sutures strongly sinuate at
the sides. Elytra conjointly rounded at tip, concealing the pygidium. Legs
moderate in length, rather robust; tibiae not grooved, all mucronate at tip;
spur of the anterior and middle pairs vertical, of the posterior oblique and
nearer the insertion of the tarsi; all very small and robust; second and third
256 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
joints of the tarsi broadly dilated, the latter strongly bilobed; fourth slendevj
claws very small, narrow, connate throughout their length except at the im-
mediate apex.
It will be noticed that this genus corresponds quite
closely with Zygobaris, and I have drawn up the description
in such form that it can be readily compared with the one
given by Dr. LeOonte for the latter (Proc. Am. Phil. 8oc.
XV, p. 321). It differs conspicuously in its shorter beak,
in antennal structure and in its strongly grooved proster-
num; also in the claws, which are connate nearly through
their length.
B. squamolineatus n. sp. — Form very narrowly elliptical, moderately
convex, black; legs and antennae dark fuscoas; cox^ black; integuments
shining. Head rather small, hemispherical, subalutaceous, finely and not very
densely punctate, with a few small robust scales along the inner margins of
the eyes; beak scarcely twice as long as the head, slightly enlarged and flat-
tened toward tip, finely and rather densely punctate toward the base, much
more sparsely so near the apex. Prothorax about as long as wide, very
feebly constricted near the apex, sides very feebly convergent from base to
apex, abruptly and more stronglj'^ arcuate behind the constriction, base
broadly arcuate, more strongly so in the middle; apex transversely truncate,
three-fifths as wide as the base; disk transversely, nearly eveuly and strongly
convex, coarsely, rather densely and evenly punctate; punctures round,
deep, perforate, separated by about their own width, distinctly finer along
the apex; surface abruptly and densely squamose at the sides, with a narrow,
sparsely squamose line along the middle; elsewhere each puncture bears a
very minute, slender scale; scales all arranged transversely. Elytra at the
humeri slightly wider than the prothorax; sides gradually convergent, broadly
and nearly evenly arcuate to the apex, which, conjointly, is rather narrowly
rounded; humeri longitudinally and rather strongly swollen; disk transversely
and rather strongly convex, fully twice as long as the pronotum, extremely
feebly constricted at one-fifth the length from the apex, deeply and narrowly
grooved; strife finely, deeply and rather distantly punctate; intervals finely,
feebly and more closely punctate, alternating broader and narrower; the
narrow intervals having a single, the broad ones two rows, of large elongate
scales arranged longitudinally; humeral row broader; the scales along the
suture and also those near the the sides very much smaller and narrower.
S^utellum slightly longer than wide, oval. Legs finely and rather sparsely
squamose; tarsi densely covered above with fine hair-like scales, densely
spongiose beneath. Abdomen densely squamose at the sides, sparsely so in
the middle; devoid of scales along the bases of the last three segments
Length 3.8 mm.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 257
Central Illinois 1; Mr. F. M. Webster.
The scales are generally white, but are slightly;
darker along the flanks of the elytra, where they are very
small. The rows of scales upon the elytral intervals are
not uniformly single or double, but in many spots become
more crowded and irregular.
RENOCIS n. gen. (Hylurgini).
Body subcylindrical. Head prominent, not concealed by the prothorax,
inserted in the prothorax nearly to the eyes; slightly deflexed, not at all
produced, beak entirely obsolete; eyes rather finely granulated, not at all
prominent, on the sidfs, extending slightly under the head, short, very
strongly transverse, with a small feeble sinuation in the anterior margin;
untennaB inserted on the sides of the head just before the eyes, short, ten-
jointed; basal joint longer than wide, rather robust; second not one-half as
long, subglobular; three to six very small; joints seven to ten forming a very
abrupt, elongate, oval club, longer than the entire preceding portion, strongly
compressed, sparsely pubescent. Mandibles prominent, short and stout,
perfectly chisel-shaped apex transversely truncate, straight; inner face at
apex obliquely truncate. Mentum short, transverse; maxillas, ligula and
palpi very small, invisible under a mass of coarse hair surrounding the men-
tnm. Labrum wanting. Anterior coxte prominent, subglobular, contiguous;
middle coxse widely distant, small, not prominent; posterior separated,
transverse, attenuated laterally, only attaining the metasternal episternum,
which is long, rather wide; sides parallel; epimeron not visible. Anterior
coxEe in contact with the head beneath; prosternum entirely obselete before
them; femora rather robust, simple; tibiao very narrow at base, rapidly
dilated and compressed toward apex, margined externally with a row of short,
very robust spiuules, obliquely truncate at apex; tarsi rather short, slender,
not at all dilated but rather compressed, five jointed; third obliquely truncate
!iud slightly produced beneath, not bilobed; fourth very minute; fifth slender,
linger than the preceding united. Abdominal segments five in number; first
two subequal, each nearly as long as the third and fourth together. Elytra
covering the entire abdomen; pygidium invisible; prothorax strongly rounded
at the sides, transverse, convex; sides continuous in curvature from the
dorsal surface to the anterior coxae. Integuments covered with a dense
scabrous mass of scales; base of elytra elevated and tuberculate. Scutellum
not distinctly visible.
In this genus the antennal club is strongly compressed,
elongate-oval, obtusely pointed and four-jointed, the joints
being connate and separated by straight traris verse sutures.
Both surfaces are glabrous, except the apices of the joints.
258 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
which are fringed with hairs, and the terminal joint which
is sparsely pubescent over the entire surface. The scape
is rather short and robust, distinctly shorter than the fun-
icle and is not received in transverse grooves in front of
the eyes, these being almost completely obsolete. The
genus therefore seems to form a group intermediate in
many of its characters between the Polygraphi and the
Hylurgi, but for the present it should be placed between
Chgetophloeus and Carphoborus, from the latter of which
it diifers in the structure of the elytra behind, — these being
evenly convex with no spinulose crests, — and in the struc-
ture of the antennal club, which is here divided by three
sutures, and not by two, as in Carphoboras.
R. heterodoxus »• sp. — Oblong; sides parallel; integuments black, densely
clothed with scales mostly dark fus^cous in color, but interspersed with whit-
ish ones especially on the flanks and toward the base of the pronotum, re-
placed on the head by a dense growth of longer, robust, shaggy pubescence.
Head wider than long; front impressed, coarsely and sparsely punctate, shin-
ing; antennae dark brown. Prothorax more than twice as wide as the head;
sides in the basal two-thirds parallel and distinctly arcuate, slightly constricted
near the apex which is broadly arcuate and slightly sinuate in the middle,
more than one-half as wide as the base; the latter transversely truncate; disk
transvei'sely, strongly convex, two-thirds wider than long, very coarsely,
rather densely punctate; scales generally recumbent toward base, erect toward
apex; the latter fringed with a dense row of short, very robust, squnmiform
hairs, ^/^/^ra at base as wide as the prothorax; sides parallel and nearly
straight for two-thirds the length from the base, then gradually rounded;
to the apex, which, conjointly, is almost semicircularly rounded; disk
cylindiical, nearly one-half longer than wide, two and one-half times as long
as the prothorax, elevated along the basal margin, the summit of the elevation
being broken into small crests; surface feebly striate; striee punctate; inter-
vals flat, coarsely, rather sparsely and unevenly punctate; smaller scalfs
usually recumbent; along the middle of each interval there is a row of longer,
erect, fuscous scales. Under surface scabrous, black, coarsely punctate.
Legs piceous; tarsi paler. Length 1.7 mm.
Nevada; (Washoe Co. 1).
The scales of the pronotum are generally entire, but upon
the flanks they become narrow, almost hair-like, and are bi-
furcate from their base, becoming, anteriorly and near the
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 259
€oxge, trifurcate. The sparse vestiture of the entire under
surface is of this same nature.
The single representative of this interesting species was
beaten from the low trees bordering the Truckee River, in
early spring, at Reno, Nevada.
Chcetophloeus liystrix Lee, found at San Diego, California,
is another singular species and appears to resemble that
above described in the structure of the head, but as that
species is described as robust and oval, having the surface
clothed with erect hair, it is abundantly distinguished from
the present which is squamose and nearly cylindrical.
APPENDIX.
Notes.
The genus Colusa is apparently regarded as identical with
Echidnoglossa Woll. In order to determine if possible the
truth in regard to the mutual relationship of these two gen-
era, I have, therefore, made a short comparative study, tak-
ing as a basis the careful description of Echidnoglossa,
given by Wollaston (Cat. Can. Col., p. 530). As this study
may be useful in future systematic investigations, it is given
below: —
In Echidnoglossa the ligula is slender, minutely bifid at
apex; the labial palpi are distinctly 3-jointed, the joints
subequal in length, the width decreasing. The posterior
tarsi have the joints gradually and slightly decreasing in
length to the fourth.
In Colusa the ligula is elongate, very slender, slightly
longer than the terminal joint of the labial palpi and is ap-
parently perfectly simple at apex. The first two joints of
the labial palpi are apparently cylindrical, rather short,
260 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
equal in diameter and closely connate or anchylosed; in
most cases the suture is completely obliterated so that they
appear to form but a single joint; the last joint is very long
and slender, affixed very obliquely and is generally slightly
longer than the first two together. The posterior tarsi are
of rather peculiar structure; the first joint is fully as long
as, sometimes distinctly longer than the next two together,
the latter being equal in length and each distinctly shorter
than the fourth; the fifth is generally longer than the first.
If the words ^' elytris hrevissimis'' are to be accepted in
their ordinary meaning, the genus of the Atlantic Islands
must be remarkably different in appearance, since the elytra
in Colusa are unusually long, wide and well developed. In
the description of the single species of Echidnoglossa, Wol-
laston states that it is alutaceous, scarcely punctulate, and
sparsely pubescent. In Colusa the integuments are not
alutaceous but polished, rather densely pubescent and
deeply punctate, the elytra very coarsely and conspicuously
so.
The two genera are, nevertheless, allied by a very striking
character which I have repeatedly verified in Colusa — the
pentamerous tarsi — and Colusa is evidently the American
representative of the eastern Echidnoglossa. I believe that
enough has been said, however, to show that they should
not be united without a much more careful comparison than
has yet been accorded them.
0
II.
The species described by me under the names Ilyobates
(Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. I, p. 307) belong in reality to Bolito-
chara. By an unfortunate oversight the number of joints
in the tarsi was recorded erroneously; both these genera
possess the strongly elevated mesosternal carina. I am in-
debted for this rectification to M. A. Fauvel.
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 261
III.
Attention is called to a very singular sexual character in
a Californian species of Leptacinns, a figure of which is given
on the plate. The species may possibly be hrunnescem Lee.
The pronotum of this specimen is not foveate at the sides,
but another specimen of apparently the same species has a
large deep fovea at about the middle of each side of the
pronotum and very near the edge; the latter example has
the sixth ventral segment simple and broadly rounded at
the apex.
IV.
In the classification of the Coleoptera of North America —
p. 97 — occurs the sentence: ^'The second ventral segment
is marked witii two short ridges." As there is no such
structure in our species of Stenini, the insertion of this
phrase must be the result of an oversight.
V.
Although the synonymical notices recently published by
M. Fauvel through Dr. Horn (Proc. Ent. Sec. A. N. S.,
Phil., June, 1886, p. xiii) relating to several species of
Stenini described by me may possibly be correct, there is a
much greater probability of error. This probability almost
amounts to a certainty in the case of Heinistemis reconditus,
which is not the same as tarsalis Ljungh. In order to sub-
stantiate this statement I would refer the reader to the out-
lines of the tarsal claws of the two species, which I have
figured on the plate accompanying tlie Revision.
As for the other synonyms indicated by M. Fauvel, it can
only be said that the descriptions of the species mentioned
which are given by Erichson and Rey do not agree very
satisfactorily with those which I have drawn up as care-
fully as possible in the Revision of the North American
Stenini for the corresponding American forms.
262 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
In a group where the species are so excessively numerous
and closely allied as in the Stenini, great care should be
exercised in making synonymical statements, and, it may
be added, there are probably extremely few species com-
mon to Europe and North America. It is even possible
that our iamilmYJuno is not the same species as the Euro-
pean juno, for the figure of the male sexual characters of
this species given by Eey does not correspond, particularly
the modification of the fifth segment, which scarcely agrees
at all with the description Avhich I have given for the Ameri-
can species.
VI.
PiNOPHiLi. — The statement made concerning this group
(Class. Col. N. A., p. 99), viz, that the species are found
under the bark of trees, is erroneous as far as the genus
Pinophilus is concerned; the correct derivation of the word
is given by Erichson (Gen. Staph., p. 670). Of the four
species in my cabinet, the two collected by myself were
taken in damp earth, under decomposing vegetable matter,
and in a few instances under stones; the other two were at-
tracted at night to the electric lights at El Paso, Texas.
YII.
Platystethus spiculus Er. — Specimens of this species,
which was described by Erichson from Colombia, South
America, were recently taken at Galveston and Austin,
Texas. These sj)ecimens correspond with others communi-
cated by Dr. Duges, taken at Guanajuato, Mexico, showing
that the species is of very wide distribution. The name
should be added to our lists.
YIII.
Aglenus Er. — A colony of about forty specimens of a
species which is probably A. hnmneus Gyll., was recently
taken by me in the environs of San Francisco. Full de-
NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 263
tails concerning the locality and other circumstances have
been sent to the Entomological Society of Washington.
IX.
The statement of Dr. Horn (Proc. Ent. Sec. A. N. S.
Phil.; June, 1886, p. xiii) concerning the identity of
Platycerus Agassii Lee. and californicus Cas. is erroneous.
These two species are mutually more dissimilar in outline,
punctuation and general appearance than even oregonensis
and depressus. Before describing caU/ornicus I had access
to a very fine series of ten specimens of Agcf^sii in the cab-
inet of Mr. C. Fuchs, a specialist in this family, who had
previously written a synopsis of the American species
(Bull. Bk. Ent. Soc. Y., p. 57). The specimens of this
series agree perfectly with Mr. Fachs' description of the
type of Agassii, and also with the description recently given
by Mr. F. Blanchard (Tr. Am. Ent. Soc, XII. p. 169).
Such absolute and unqualified assertions as the one re-
ferred to on the part of Dr. Horn, unaccompanied by any
comparative statements and hastily made without examining
the type or even an authentic representative of the species
condemned, are entirely uncalled for and generally of very
little scientific value.
ADDENDUM.
As the present paper was passing through the press, it was found that the
specific name exilis had already been emploj'ed for a species of Heterothops,
and I therefore substitute the word occldentis.
264 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.
Fig. 1 — Beichenbachia iu7norosa Cas. — Antenna (^
Fig. la — B. tumidicornis Cas. — Antenna (^
Fig. 16 — 7?. informis Cas. — Antenna (^
Fig. 2 — R. deformata Lee. — Antenna (^
Fig. 2a— i?, fundata Cas. — Antenna (^
Fig. 2b— B. franciscana Cas. — Anienna (^
Fig. 2 — Eumitocerus tarsalis Cas.
3a— Anterior tibia and tarsus.
36 — Maxillary palpns.
3c — Posterior coxa.
Fig. ^—Leinacinus sp. incog. — Abdominal vertex showing long rigid sexiial
spine.
4a— Lateral view of same.
Fig. b--Hesperohium Cas.— Base of abdomen beneath, showing structure.
Note- This figure is referred to in the introductory notes of the present
paper, p. 159.
Fig. 6 — Leptogenius hrevicornls Cas.
6a— Maxillary palpus.
Fig 7—Scopceus kevlgcUus Gyll.— Infralateral view of prothorax showing
form of intercoxal lamina.
7a — Labrum.
Fig. 8 — Scopoiodera nitkla Lee. — Same.
8a — Labrum.
Fig. 9 — Leptorus picipes Cas. — Same.
9a — Labrum.
Fig. 10 -Orus punctatus Cas. — Same.
10a — Labrum.
Fig. 11 — Pelecomalium hinotatum Cas. — Labrum.
11a— Maxillary palpus.
116— Posterior tarsus.
lie — Labial palpus
Fig. 12— Lathrimceu7n humerale Cas.
Fig. 33 — Orobanus rufipes Cas.
Fig. 14—0. dm&ua Cas.
Fig. \o—Actiduim rotundkolle Cas.
Fig. 16 — Ptilium sulcatum Cas.
Fig. 17 — Smlcrus americanus Cas.
Fig. 18 — Ditaphrus scymnokles Cas. — Antenna.
Fig. 19 — Eleates occklentalis Cas.
Fig. 20—Renocis heterodoxus Cas.
20a— Slightly oblique side view o' head.
SUBMARINE VALLEYS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 265
SUBMARINE VALLEYS ON THE PACIFIC COAST OF THE
UNITED STATES.
BY GEORGE DAYIDSON,
Read at tbe Meeting of October 4tli, 1886.
(This paper was illustrated with diagrams.)
The plateau of the Pacific Ocean reaches a depth of 2,000
to 2,400 fathoms within as little as forty or fifty miles of the
Coast to the southward of Cape Mendocino. The descent
to these profound depths is not uniform, however, except
off the high range of the Santa Lucia. Generally there is a
marginal plateau of ten miles out to the hundred fathom
curve, and then the descent is sharp to five or six hundred
fathoms. Off the level and shallow plateau of the Gulf of
the Farallones, the descent is rapid within five miles of the
South East Farallones, and reaches 2,000 fathoms in fifty
miles. The determination of these great depths we owe to
the deep sea soundings of Commodore Belknap, of w^hich
a full discussion was presented by me to the Academy in
1873-4.
Into this marginal plateau of one hundred fathoms there
have been developed, in the course of the operations of the
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, several remarka-
ble submarine valleys. Notably that in Monterey Bay,
heading to the low lands at the great bend of the Salinas
River; and that off Point Hueneme at the eastern entrance to
the Santa Barbara Channel, also heading into the low coast
at the wide opening of the Santa Clara Valley . Then there
are one or two near the mouth of the Laguna Mugu, two or
three ofi' the southern point of Carmel Bay, while the deep-
est one enters far into the Bay. These all have remarkable
characteristics which I have heretofore brought to the no-
tice of the Academy.
266 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Submarine Valley 1. The latest developments of sub-
marine valleys are near the high, bold coast under Cape
Mendocino. A submarine ridge runs southward from
Point Delgada at Shelter Cove, in latitude 40° 01', for ten
miles or more. But the depth of the marginal plateau at
100 fathoms is about six or seven miles from the shore.
Just north of this bank, off Shelter Cove, there has been
developed a deep submarine valley where it breaks through
the marginal plateau and runs sharply into the immmediate
coast-line under the culminating point of the crest-line of
mountains. The head of this submarine valley is 100 fath-
oms deep at one and a quarter miles from the shore, and
the depth of 25 fathoms almost reaches to the rocks under
the clitfs. The mountain peak toward which it points is
4,236 feet above the sea and only two and a half miles in-
side the shore line. The 100 fathom line lies six miles off
Point Delgada, but where the valley breaks through the
marginal plateau the depth reaches 400 fathoms. The slopes
of the sides of this valley are verv steep.
Submarine Valley II. Hence northwestward to Point
Gorda the 100 fathom line of soundings continues nearly
parallel with the coast line except about midway, where a
minor submarine valley 300 to 150 fathoms deep stretches
sharply toward the shore, and within two and a half miles
thereof. The head lies two and a half miles south by east
from Spanish Flat, under the mountains. But immediately
north of the point, there is a very deep submarine valley
which comes in from the westsouthwest, and heads close un-
der the shore three miles north of Point Gorda, and there-
fore less than a mile north of the mouth of the Mattole
Eiver.
The head of this great submarine valley, at the 30 fathom
line, is only one-third of a mile from the shore in latitude
40^ 18i'. The depth of 100 fathoms in the valley is only
one and a half miles from shore, and the sides of the valley
SUBMARINE VALLEYS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 267
are remarkably steep. The 100 fathom curve of the valley
comes close between the general 30 fathom curve on the
north and south, where they are one-third of a mile apart.
The opening of this valley through the edge of the 100
fathom plateau is 520 fathoms deep, and is only six miles S.
62^ W. from Point Gorda. The barrier of coast line at the
head of this valley is over 2,000 feet high.
Suhmai^ine VaUey Til. Between Point Gorda and Cape
Mendocino there is a second submarine valley, a little
nearer to the cape. It comes in from the westward, but
does not indent the 20 fathom line along the shore, but the
depth of 100 fathoms in the valley is only one-third of a
mile outside the regular 25 fathom coast line, and lies five
miles S. by E. from Cape Mendocino light house.
The 450 fathom sounding in the entrance to the valley is
only six and a half miles SW. by S. from the cape, and this
valley is comparatively wide. Its north side is formed by a
30 fathom submarine plateau extending ^\q miles from the
cape. This valley heads under the great mountain mass,
rising behind Cape Mendocino and reaching 3,400 feet ele-
vation.
The bottom of the valley is green mud, and yet in two
places, at depths of 320 fathoms, broken shells were brought
up with gravel. Both slopes of the valley are green mud
up to about 30 or 35 fathoms, when the bottom changes to
fine gray sand.
Between the two submarine valleys of Point Gorda (II.)
and Cape Mendocino (HI.)) the submarine ridge carries 50
fathoms out for four and a quarter miles from shore; the
bottom is green mud outside of 35 to 40 fathoms, with fine
gray sand inside.
Northward of the Cape Mendocino submarine valley, the
irregular bottom off Cape Mendocino, marked by Blunt's
reef, stretches well to the westward of the usual coast
268 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
depths, and is thence spread out towards Humboldt Bay as
a broad and comparatively shallow plateau.
Two problems are at once suggested by these submarine
valleys. One is eminently practical. Steam coasting ves-
sels bound for Humboldt Bay, when they get as far north
as Shelter Cove in very thick fogs, haul into the shore to
find soundings, and then continue parallel with the shore.
One vessel has been lost by failing to find bottom until close
upon the rocky coast. This steamer doubtless sounded up
the axis of the deep submarine valley ofi' King Peak, and
could find no bottom. Had the existence of this valley
been known, the vessel would have proceeded in a more
guarded manner.
The second bearing which these great submarine valleys
have, is upon the deep sea fauna which must be brought
close under the shores, the more especially as they bring in
the colder waters coming down the coast outside of the in-
fluence of the close inshore eddy current to the northward.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 269
ADDITIONS TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND
BY ^y ALTER E. BRYANT.
The avifauna of Guadalupe Island was entirely unknown
to science until 1875, when Dr. Edward Palmer, in the in-
terest of the U. S. National Museum, made a collection of
seventy-two specimens embracing eight species of land
birds and one water bird found dead on the island.^ The
results of this work were published by Mr. Eobert Kidg-
way."
In " The Birds of Guadalupe Island," Mr. Kidgway
remarks that " the land birds contained in the collection
from Guadalupe embrace only eight species, so that the
fauna of the island is by no means fully represented; indeed,
the collector observed a humming-bird, two kinds of owls,
and a hawk, of which no specimens were obtained. This is
to be regretted, since most, if not all, of these would doubt-
less have proved new. It is altogether likely, too, that
other species escaped notice, and thus remain to be dis-
covered; a rich field is therefore left to the future ex-
plorer."
I have twice visited in pursuit of ornithological studies
this remote island, which is extremely difficult of access. In
January, 1885, I spent a brief time on Guadalupe, sufficient
time, indeed, to but increase my desire for further investi-
NoTE ^ — The eight species of land birds were determined to be new to
science. The water bird was an adult'' specimen in breeding plumage of the
Pacific Loon (Urinator pacificus).
Note -. — "Ornithology of Guadeloupe Island, based on notes and collect-
ions, made by Dr. Edward Palmer." Bulletin, Hayden's Survey, 1876, No.
2, p. 183.
See, also, Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. II, p. 58, July,
1877.
19— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. H. 6. Issued January 5, 1887.
270 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
gation. Through the kindness of Mr. Luis Huller I was
enabled at the end of the same year to make a second visit,
landing on the island on December 16, 1885. My expecta-
tion was to stay about six weeks, but as it eventuated, it
was one hundred and twelve days before an opportunity
presented itself for me to leave the island. During these
three months and a half I had ample time to
most thoroughly prospect the island and to make a careful
study, not only of the birds themselves but of their habits,
number and distribution.
Guadalupe being almost unknown and charts quite unat-
tainable, a few words in the way of description may serve to
render more lucid the remarks which follow.
Guadalupe Island is situated about two hundred and
twenty miles to the southward and westward of San Diego,
the northern extremity lying in about 29^ 10' N., 118^ 18'
W. Extending about fifteen miles in length, with a max-
imum width of five miles, it is said to reach at its highest
point an altitude of 4,523 feet. It is of volcanic origin, as is
is evidenced by the loose, burnt rocks, and broken lava
which cover the entire island. Rocks varying in size from
the smallest pebble to that of a cocoa nut are thickly strewn
about on every hand, while in places, huge boulders and
ledges crop out. An unbroken ridge rising to its greatest
height in the central portion extends the entire length of the
island from north to south, forming a " hog's back." On
the western side of this range, the land slopes rapidly
towards the ocean, ending in many places in high perpen-
dicular cliffs.
Towards the south the land is somewhat lower, sloping
more gradually and ending less abruptly. It is noticeable
that the southern part of the island, which is the lowest, is
very rocky and barren, no trees growing below the central
mesa. Whatever vegetation exists there, consists of stunted
alfileria and scattered sagebrush. The westei'n side is
broken by two great canons separated by a barren hill of
I
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 271
reddish rock. The northern portion consists of a very sharp
ridge nearly or quite perpendicular on the western face,
while on the eastern slope it descends rapidly and hides its
surface under a covering of sagebrush.
For convenience of reference, I shall mention the wooded
tracts under four distinct heads : —
First — At the northern end of the island is a fast decay-
ing forest of pines, extending within narrow limits along
the sharp ridge and down the almost perpendicular western
face. Among these pines are to be found a few hardy oaks
upon whose branches grow huge acorns, said to be the
largest in the world. A few isolated pines are found grow-
ing along the ridge nearly to its central portion.
Second — Far down on the northwestern slope is a large
grove of cabbage palms.
Third — On the highest part of the island, with the excep-
tion of a single peak (Mt. Augusta), is situated a large grove
of cypress trees covering an area of a mile or more on the
western slope; the eastern side of this forest ends abruptly
at the edge of the ridge, below which is a comparatively
level table land.
Fourth — On this plateau grows a small cypress grove.
Here I had my permanent camp, within half a mile of which
were several springs and pools of water. With the excep-
tion of one spring here and one or two towards the north,
all the waters were more or less strongly alkaline. When-
ever rain collected in the rocky basin of the small arroyos,
this water was used in preference to the alkali water of the
springs.
The vegetation in a w^et reason, as was the winter of
1885-6, consisted chiefly of the common alfileria, while in
places, especially about old goat corrals, dense growth of
malva had sprung up. Throughout the entire length
of the island, there grows in places a small white
sagebrush with yellow blossoms. This sagebrush, to-
gether with the bark of the cypress trees, serves
272 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
in dry years as food for the goats, who numbered, I
should judge, about two thousand. In the large cypress
grove I saw scarcely a tree that did not bear the marks of
their teeth.
The climate of Guadalupe was, at that season of the year,
quite cool, in fact the nights were so cold that ice occasion-
ally formed, while frost was of common occurrence. To-
wards spring the weather moderated considerably, and
in the summer, I am told, it is very warm. During many
days the north -westers blew keenly, rising at times almost
to a gale. The fogs were very dense, and, driven by
high winds, swept over the island, saturating it like rain.
Although the. rains were at no time very heavy, the slop-
ing and rocky formation of the land allows most of it to
flow off, so that a few hours of rain would send small tor-
rents rushing down the arroyos.
The work of preparing specimens was beset with many
difficulties. On some days the large blow-flies that swarmed
about camp compelled me to prepare and pack in a green
condition the specimens as soon as brought in. But more
trouble was caused by the dense fogs that often enveloped
the camp and so relaxed skins that wore not tightly boxed,
as to render it necessary to reset them. The accommoda-
tions, moreover, were not the most suitable, nor were the
comforts of life in excess of the demand for them. As a
result of three and a half months' sojourn on the island,
the number of known species has been increased by twenty-
seven, making a total of thirty-six known to the island.
Four of the straggling species, viz.: — Mountain Bluebird,
Varied Thrush, Townsend's Sparrow and Golden-crowned
Sparrow, are recorded for the first time from so southern a
latitude as Guadalupe Island, while their presence so far off
shore, is of scarcely less interest. It is shown quite con-
clusively that the four species (certainly three of them) that
were noted, but not taken in 1875, are not new to science.
The very natural supposition to the contrary held by many,
served to attract me to the island.
ORNITHOLOGY r'^ CADALUPE ISLAND. 273
There yet remain ud aown the eggs of Pqoilo consobrinus,
Tkriiothorus hrevicaadas and Poli/horus lidosus, and also the
young phimage of Thryothorus hrevicaiidus, Colaptes rvfi-
jnleiis and Begidns ohscurus.
From Dr. Palmer's notes I was led to suppose that the
breeding season on Guadalupe differed but slightly, if any,
from that about the vicinity of San Francisco Bay. Per-
sonal observation, however, reveals the fact that on the
island it is several months earlier, nesting beginning with
many of the species in the winter, as will be seen by the
dates accompanying the notes.
The researches made by Mr. L. Belding on the western
coast of Lower California, disclose the fact that, as far
south as Cerros Island (about 28 deg. north), the birds do
not differ from those found near San Diego.
AVith the exception of a pair of falcons [F. mexicanus?),
which were not taken, the subjoined is a complete list of
the birds which I found inhabiting Guadalupe Island.
Nevertheless, there is a strong probability that others have
and will find rest in transit, or permanently, as in the case of
the cross-bills and nuthatches. Without going into the
details of a strict technical treatise, I will endeavor to
give a full account of the habits, distribution and num-
bers of the birds from my personal observation. The
measurements have been carefully taken and com-
pared with specimens and published descriptions, those of
the more common species being omitted.
The Mexican names of many birds were not known to the
inhabitants, and in some instances it was evident that they
either confounded the species-or applied to a bird the name
of some similar bird with which they were familiar. As they
may, however, be of use to others who may visit the island,
I append the names as they were given me :
1. — Buteo borealis calurus. — " Aguilia," which more strictly
means an eagle.
274 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
2. — Tinmmculus. sparverius. — " Gavalancillo."
3. — Polyborus lutosns. — " Queleli."
4, — Speotyto cunicularia liypogaea. — "Lechnza."
5. — Colaptes rufipileus. — " Carpentero.'' This name is ap-
plied to several of the woodpeckers in California, partic-
ularly Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi.
6. — Micropusmelanoleucus. — " Golondrina." Also applied
to swallows in Lower California.
7. — Trochilus anna. — " Chuparrosa." Hummingbirds
generally.
8. — Carpodricus amplus. — " Gorrion." Pronounced " Bu-
rion," as it is spelled in B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. Birds.
In California C frontalis rJiodocolpus is also known by
this name.
9. — Junco insularis. — " Gorrion azul."
10. — Oroscoptes montanus. — " Sinsontle."
11. — Salpinctes guadeloupensis. — " Saltapared."
12. — Begulus obscurus. — " Canaria."
13. — Merula migratoria propinqua. — " Silguero.''
To Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Mr. W. O. Emerson and the
authorities of the U. S. National Museum, I am much in-
debted for the use of specimens with which to compare my
own. I also wish to express my thanks to Mr. L. Belding
for valuable information and suggestion, and to Capt. L. W.
Johnston for his many kind offices during the two voyages
which I have made with him. To Mr. John Lehr, the
island agent, my thanks are due for his valuable aid during
my stay.
The nomenclature and order of the A. O. U. checklist has
been followed in the preparation of this paper.
1, Larus occidentalis.
Western Gull. — A few single birds were seen off shore
alighting on rocks which at high tide were entirely covered.
I was told that the gulls had formerly bred in considerable
numbers at the southern end of the island, where they were
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 275
not SO frequently molested by the '' Quelelis." The latter,
said my informant, had often been seen in the act of rob-
bing the gulls of their eggs. The birds can undoubtedly
nest at the present time on any other portion of the shore,
especially the northern, where they would be comparatively
free from this source of danger. Had more time been at
disposal, a trip of a few days along shore might have re-
sulted in the discovery of a breeding colony, although the
month of April was rather early to look for gull's eggs.
Specimens in both adult and immature plumage in num-
bers were noticed about the island, but after getting well
out to sea on the return voyage, the schooner was accompa-
nied by a few adult birds only. On approaching the Cali-
fornian coast, these were joined by a number of others, ac-
companied by a few birds of immature plumage. Appar-
ently the younger birds are not partial to long flights at sea,
with the chances of encountering heavy weather, and there-
fore prefer to follow the coast-line. If such be the case,
the immature birds of Guadalupe may have been reared
there, and were loath to put to sea in pursuit of vessels.
2. PuiRnus gavia.
Black-vented Shearwater. — A decayed specimen, found
on top of the island in April, has kindly been identified
by Dr. Cooper as this species. One stormy night in Jan-
uary, I heard a bird, as he flew past camp, making a pecu-
liar rasping squawk, and although I subsequently heard the
same sound on numerous occasions, more particularly when
encamped at a lower altitude, I was yet unable to detect the
author of it. My Mexican companion said the bird that
made the sound was a "Cuapo," common in Mexico; he
also drew in explanation the outline of the bill of some ra-
pacious bird; sach information is, of course, extremely un-
reliable.
Since then I have not found any one who knows of a bird
by the name "Cuapo." I was inclined to assign the sounds
276 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
to sea-birds, which hypothesis was strengthened by my
hearing a far greater number of these night-fliers along the
beach than on the top of the island, where the dead one was
found. In the afternoon on which I left the island, large
flocks of Shearwaters were seen a few miles from shore, all
of which were on the wing, not much above the waves.
Some or all may have been of this species. As the schooner
neared Los Coronados Islands (about twenty miles south-
west of San Diego), large flocks were seen on the water but
rose long before the boat reached them.
3. Oceanodroma leucorhoa.
Leach's Peteel. — In the latter part of January, I was
encamped for a few days upon a narrow shelf of rock below
the top of a steep hillside, which formed a quiet lee where
some slight protection could be had against the gale. No
ornithological work was possible, and nothing could be
done for the three days of the storm's continuance but to
hug the camp fire. At midnight of the last day, my com-
panion awakened me to announce that some *' little owls"
were flying about. Every few minutes a bird would pass
the small circle of light or hover for an instant in the glow
above the fire, while from the enveloping darkness their
calls and replies could be clearly heard. There seemed to
be four or five close by, but so quick were they in their
movements, with flight as erratic as that of a bat, that I
found it impossible to shoot them. The next night, I set a
steel trap, but the bait, consisting of a Junco, remained un-
touched. The birds came about my camp only on the
darkest nights or, if any were flying during moonlight, they
were entirely silent. After the setting of the moon, how-
ever, even though as late as four o'clock in the morning,
they would make their appearance with their peculiar call.
The note I find hard to describe; perhaps I may best char-
acterize it by saying that they seemed to call hurriedly,
*' here's-a-letter," ^^ hei^e^s-a-letter," and th^n from the dark-
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 277
ness came the reply from another that I supposed to be at
rest, ^[for you," ^\for you.''
Toward the north I often found wings or other fragments
of a petrel, and sometimes the entire body with the excep-
tion of the head. Of several dozen picked up from the
ground but one entire bird was found. Scores of these
bodies were found, some of them partially eaten. My Mexi-
can said that this wholesale slaughter was the work of cats,
but only one or two of these animals were seen, while de-
capitated petrels were lying about on all sides.
TJiere were many small holes in the moist hillside open-
ing under boulders and fallen branches. Digging into these
holes for a distance of from one to three feet, my search
was rewarded by the discovery of petrels and fresh eggs.
During the greater part of two days I dug into about eighty
burrows, in most of which a single bird was found. In
some cases a single egg, never more, laid upon a few pine
needles in an enlarged chamber at the extremity of the
burrow was disclosed to view on removing the bird. The
birds seemed dazed when brought to light, and walked or
fluttered helplessly along the ground for a few feet until
they sufficiently recovered from their fright to make use of
their wings. When tossed into the air they descended
lightly and made their way among the tree- trunks and wind-
falls, dodging limbs and branches with a quick, bat-like
motion. I do not know whether they flew out to sea or
found concealment until nightfall, but the latter course
seems the more probable.
Seldom did a bird make a sound Avhen seized, but occa-
sionally a cry like that of a bird in distress would escajDe
them. One individual, however, while being unearthed,
kept up the peculiar night-call which had so puzzled me
about the camp-fire.
Their favorite breeding-ground was on the pine ridge,
but nests were found as far south as the small cypress grove.
It was very difficult to secure clean specimens since, upon
278
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
being caught, they invariably vomited and purged a reddish,
thin, oily fluid of an extremely strong odor. The single
egg which they lay is held against the abdomen of the sit-
ting bird. It is shaped much like a pigeon's egg, white in
in color, while one end is wreathed with a fine spattering of
minute dots of reddish brown and pale lavender.
The average measurements of fifty eggs taken March 4th
and 5th, is 35.7 x 27 mm. The largest eggs measure 37.5
X 27.5; 38x27.5; 37 x 28 mm., and the smallest 31.5 x 26;
32.5x25,5; ; 33 x 27 mm.
DIMENSIONS OF SPECIMENS.
Collector'
No.
2555
2556
2558
2559
2560
2561
2563
2561
2566
2567
2568
2557
2562
2565
Sex and
age.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
ad.
Wing.
mm.
155
162
158
161
162
160
166
168
162
i66
160
171
167
159
Tail
Depth of
Exposed
Tarsus.
feath'rs
fork.
culmen.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
85
•25
17
25
92
28
17
23
87
23
16
23
90
30
16
25
93
25
15.5
25
89
32
17
24
y5
17
25
94
32
17
23
92
26
16.5
24
97
34
17
24
92
15.5
22.5
99
35
16
24
97
30
16
22
96
35
17
26
Middle
toe and
claw.
mm.
29
29
28
28
28
28
29.5
30
29
30
28
28
29
30
No. 11,164 in the collection of the Cal. Academy of Sciences, from At-
lantic Ocean, measures— Tail, 94 mm.; depth of fork, 18 mm.; culmen, 16
mm.; tarsus, 22.5 mm.; middle toe and claw, 24.5 mm.
No. 11,165 in the collection of the Cal. Academy of S-iences, from At-
lantic Ocean, measures — Tail, 92 mm.; depth of fork, 18 mm.; culmen, 16
mm.; tarsus, 22 mm.; middle toe and claw, 25 mm.
There is indicated in the longer tail, greater depth of fork and longer
middle toe which is constant in the Guadalupe example, a Pacific or at least
a Guadalupe Island form of Oceanodroma, differing mainly in these respects
from 0. leucorhoa. Bat I have not at present sufficient material from the
Atlantic Coast to determine this satisfactorily.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 279
4. Anser albifrons gambeli.
American White-fronted Goose. — At my first visit on
January 14, 1885, I sliot a goose, which I have no doubt
was of this species. The bird was a solitary individual,
found a few hundred yards from the beach, and when shot
fell over a cliff and was lost. Although flying well when
flushed, it covered but a short distance before alighting . In
the vicinity where it was flrst seen were many signs indi-
cating that the bird had been there for some time, or that a
flock had rested there during a migration. The young grass
just appearing above the ground furnished sufficient food.
5. Buteo borealis calurus.
Western Ked-tail. — This is a resident species, and is
probably the hawk seen by Dr. Palmer, but of which no
specimen was obtained. They were not common, not more
than three or four being seen during any single day, and
probably the same birds were counted over several times in
the course of a week. At the time of my departure I esti-
mated their number as about equalling that of the Caracara
eagle. They were oftener seen toward the north where the
pines ofl'ered a high roosting-place. On pleasant days they
extended their hunting excursions toward the south, some-
times remaining for daj^s in the vicinity of the small cypress
grove, but on the occasion of foggy or rainy weather they
disappeared, seeking shelter among the pines, where,
perched on branches close to the leeward side of the trunk,
they waited storm-bound till hunger or fair weather called
them away. Their extreme wariness and the nature of the
country prevented me from securing- more than a single
specimen. This is an adult male, which was taken on the
edge of the small cypress grove January 5.
No nests were seen, but I have no doubt that among the
scattered pines these birds hatch and rear their young.
280 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
DIMENSIONS OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's No. Sex aod age
2403
$ ad.
Wing.
Tail-featbeis
mm.
385
mm.
204
Bill from nostril
mm.
23
Tarsus.
mm.
70
Middle toe
mm.
48
Iris, dark brown. Cere, comraissure and toes, chrome yellow. Length.
517 mm. Extent, 1249.5 mm.
6. Falco sparverius.
American Sparrow-Hawk. — During the two clays spent
on the island in January, 1885, I saw a single pair of these
birds, but only succeeded in securing the female. My so-
journ during the winter and spring of the following year
showed the birds to be a resident species. It was seldom
that one could not approach within gun shot, even in open
ground, while the bird was sitting perched upon either a
boulder or the dead branch of a cypress. They especially
frequented the central and higher portions of the island.
By the middle of February male and female were seen in
company, one pair remaining near some isolated cypress
tree, while another pair had evidently taken up their abode
in a rocky cliff, the absence of suitable tree-cavities forcing
them to adopt some convenient hole in the rocks for a nest-
ing place.
Their means of subsistence, during the time of my obser-
vation, consisted of coleoptera, caterpillars and other insects,
upon which food they became quite fat. I did not see them
in pursuit of small birds, and believe it is not their custom
to molest them, at least while insect food can be obtained.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Sex
Collector's
and
Date.
Wing.
Tail
Bill from
Tarsus.
Middle
No.
age.
feathers.
nostril.
toe.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
2410
i
January 21, 1886
188
124
10
31
23
2520
S, ad
Febrnary 15, 1886
188
122
11
34
25
2519
^ad
February 15, 1886
195
122
11.5
35
23
1687
^ad
January 15, 1885
192
125
11.5
36
24
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 281
The feet, cere and ophthalmic region, yellow in all four.
No. 2410.— Moulting. Blue of wings almost unspotted. Gizzard contained
beetles only.
No. 2520. — Contained insects.
No. 2519. — Very fat. Gizzard contained caterpillars.
7. Polyborus lutosus.
Guadalupe Caracara. — In January, 1885, during a two
days' excursion about the central part of the island, but
four " Quelelis " were seen. By 1886 their number had been
reduced by more than a score .by the island agent, who
never missed an opportunity to kill one. Arriving on the
island in the summer time, when, the birds came to the
shallow pools to drink, the agent would lie in wait behind
a boulder and pick them off with a rifle. The birds, if
missed, heeding not the shot, or, if but slightly wounded,
not realizing the danger, remained near, making certain the
destruction of all that came to drink at the fatal spring.
During my rambles I frequently came upon the weather-
beaten carcasses of '•' Quelelis " lying where they had fallen.
In one place, four were found lying dead together.
In regard to their numbers and destructiveness towards
the goats running wild there, the facts noticed by Dr. Pal-
mer in 1875, thoroughly substantiated by information given
me by sea-captains and seal-hunters, are not apparent at
the present time. Dr. Palmer's assistant, Mr. Harry Stew-
art of San Diego, writes me that he is unable to say how
many were on the island at the time he was there, but
that they were in great numbers.
Their range extends over the entire island, from beach to
summit. I believe that the killing of several goats each
week near the central part of the island, attracted almost
the entire number of " Quelelis " to that vicinity,
Being of an unsuspicious character, they will allow a per-
son to walk directly towards them until within shooting dis-
tance, merely watching the intruder until the distance be-
comes less than agreeable. If they happen to be upon the
282 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ground they beat a retreat at an awkward walk or, if neces-
sary, a run, taking wing only as a last resort, and even then
flying but a short distance before alighting. Their actions,
gait and positions, while on the ground are similar to those
of a buzzard. In flight, the light color on the primaries is
distinctly shown.
During several consecutive days, a "Queleli" came to my
camp, searching for scraps of food. One day I saw him
making ofl*, at a walk, from the cook-house, carrying with
him a piece of bone from the leg of a goat, and upon which,
a little raw meat still adhered. With this bone, fully nine
inches in length, grasped firmly in his bill, he retired to
what he considered a safe distance before commencing his
feast.
As far as my observations went, the birds were entirely
silent, but tlie agent informed me th^it when perchance a
rifle ball carried away a wing or a foot, the unfortunate bird
would scream long and loudly. If the wounded creature
happened to be in company with others of his kind, he
would be immediately attacked and killed. One which was
badly wounded attempted to escape by running, with the
assistance of his wings. Being overtaken and brought to
bay, instead of throwing himself on his back in an attitude
of defence, or uttering a cry for quarter, he raised his crest
and with an air of defiance, calmly awaited death as became
the Eagle of Guadalupe. Weakened by the loss of blood
which poured from a wound in his throat, he finally fell for-
ward and died — silent and defiant to the last.
If a goat was killed and not immediately taken to camp,
the hunter was almost certain to find upon his return that a
"Queleli" (rarely more than one) had taken possession of
the carcass.
Their food during the season of caterpillars consists
almost entirely of these larvae, with a slight variation
afforded by occasional beetles and crickets. Whenever op-
portunity offers they are ready to gorge themselves upon
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
283
the offal of a slain goat, retiring after the banquet to a con-
venient tree to await the process of digestion. I have never
known of their eating the bodies of their own species, but
they do not object to making a meal off' the flesh of a fat
petrel if fortune casts a dead one in their way.
The goats, I believe, are seldom molested in a time of
plenty by the few Eagles that remain, although during a
scarcity of food, it is not unlikely that they would attack a
kid or possibly even a full grown animal. By the latter
part of April, the birds had apparently not paired, and I
believe the eggs are not laid until the latter pait of May or
June.
The Mexicans said that a cliff was always chosen for a
nesting place, thus making their nests difiicult to find and
still more difficult of access. This being the case, I fear
the eggs will long remain unknown.
LIST OF SPECIMENS.
Culmen
Collector's No.
Sex and age.
Date.
Wing.
Tail.
from
cere.
Tarsus
Middle toe.
mm.
mm.
mm,
mm.
mm. •
1692
5 ad.
Jan. 15, 1885
402
260
32
92
51
2387
$ ad.
Ja^. 4. 1886
390
260
33
84
53
2577
$ ad.
March 16, 1886
899
260
33
88
53
1691
$ ad.
Jan. 15, 1885
418
276
33
89
53
1699
$ ad.
Jan. 15, 1885
405
268
33
89
56
2408
S ad.
Jan. 8, 1886
412
266
33
90
50
2504
i ad.
Feb. 16, 1886
418
285
33
84
54
2581
S ad.
March 22, 1886
414
273
33
90
55
2409
6 im.
Jan. 18, 1886
405
260
32
92
54
2576
$ im.
March 16, 1886
408
257
32
88
54
Remarks.— The adult birds have light-brown eyes. Bill, pale bluish
white. Cere, lores, feet and legs, chrome yellow. The yellow of lores as-
sumes a salmon color soon after death, but this disappears for a short time
if a finger is pressed upon the spot, resuming again the salmon color as the
•skin dries. Immature birds have dark-brown eyes. Bill, light bluish.
Lores, not chrome yellow. Feet and legs, nearly "Naples yellow" in color.
All of the so-called immature birds which I have seen (five in number) have
been in worn or ragged plumage.
284 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
No. 1692 — Length, 609 mm. One foot missing from below the kuee; an
old wound.
No. 2387— Length, 603 mm. Extent, 1260.5 mm. Coutained feathers and
pieces of goat meat.
No. 1691— Length, 631 mm. Extent, 1308 mm.
No. 2581 — Fat. Ovaries slightly enlarged. Stomach contained a foot and
some feathers of a petrel.
No. 2409— Ovaries very small.
8. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea.
Burrowing Owl. — This species may or may not be one of
the two kinds of "Strigidce' mentioned in the "Ornithology
of Guadeloupe Island," but of which no specimens have
ever been taken. It was the only species which I met with,
and I have no positive evidence of there being any other
owls on the island while I was there, although whenever a
favorable night offered itself, I seized the opportunity to
watch for nocturnal birds.
The Mexicaus said that there was a large Owl ("Teco-
lote"), which they had occasionally heard hooting at night,
but that it was very rare.
From Dr. Palmer's assistant, I learned that one of the
owds which was known to be on the island was a Horned
Owl (Bubo).
A single pair of Ground Owls were the only ones of this
species met with. They frequented the open ground on the
central part of the island near the alkali pools, appearing
only after dusk. The notes made at the time will perhaps
give the best idea of the bird's habits as far as these were
observed. The third night on which I had watched for
them was unusually calm and quite chilly. The lingering
twilight rendered objects still visible through the approach-
ing gloom. Nearing a large boulder beside which I pur-
posed to take my stand for that evening, I suddenly started
up one of the very birds of which I was in search. Fright-
ened by my approach, she rose a short distance in front of
me, and instead of alighting on a rock, as I expected, and
thus keeping me within sight, she dropped behind it, dis-
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 285
appearing instantly. As I cautiously circled around the
spot, I noticed her head peering out from one side of the
boulder, and at once fired. After smoothing out her plum-
age and placing her upon a rock, I stationed myself against
the boulder and gun in hand watched for the male whose
call I had he ird issuing from the darkness. Soon the call
was repeated nearer than before, and the form of an owl
rose dark above the horizon not twenty feet away. He dis-
covered my presence just as I threw my gun into position,
and giving a cry of alarm, swerved off. He was, however,
too late and was soon placed upon the rock beside his male.
They were both very fat. one was gorged with caterpillars,
the other contained a single small beetle.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
CoUector's number.
Sex and age.
Date.
2453
2452
$ ad.
? ad.
Feb. 2, 1886.
Feb. 2. 1886.
Iris and feet yellow.
9. Colaptes rufipileus-
Guadalupe Flicker. — Comparatively speaking, this bird
was not rare in the restricted area of the large cypress grove,
but apart from this locality less tlian a dozen were seen.
Three specimens were taken among some palms within a
short distance from the beach on the eastern side of the
island. One only was heard among the pines at the north-
ern portion, and in the vicinity of the large palm grove on
the northwestern slope they -were occasionally seen.
Of all the species of this family I have ever met with,
none have been so tame and unsuspicious or less frightened
by the report of a guu. In January I witnessed a peculiar
habit not before noticed, I believe, in birds of this genus.
A pair of Flickers were perched facing each other upon a
20— Bull. Gal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued January 5, 1887
286 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
gnarled root about three feet from the ground, their heads
within a foot of each other. Suddenly the male, who had
been sitting motionless before the female, began a some-
what grotesque performance, which consisted in a rapid
bobbing of his head. In this he was immediately followed
by the female. This spasmodic bobbing and bowing they
repeated alternately a few times, when both stojDped as sud-
denly as they had commenced. After an interval of a few
seconds the male began again and was joined by the female.
The movement resembled more an upward jerk of the head
than a Ijow.
Approaching on my hands and knees to get a closer view,
I could hear a low chuckling sound while these strange ac-
tions were in progress. What the outcome of this love-
making — for such I regarded it — would have been I did not
ascertain. The fear of losing the specimens — almost the
first I had seen — prompted me to fire. The first shot
brought down the female. At the report away flew the
male, followed by another male, which, unseen by me, had
been quite near, on the ground. They returned while I was
still holding the female, and thus gave me an opportunity
of securing them both. Their evident lack of timidity per-
mitted me to draw near enough to plainly distinguish the
characteristic bright red cheek -patches. In February I
saw a repetition of the action above noted, tJie birds being
in a cypress tree above me. They were very tame, espe-
cially the female, who came quite near as I lay upon the
ground, whistling "qiiit-tu," "quit-tu," and w^atching her
puzzled actions. In a half-dead cypress this pair had par-
tially pecked a cavity for a nest.
Id addition to the familiar scythe-whetting notes they
have the peculiar "wake -up" call and its rapid prelude of
monosyllables. By imitating this call I decoyed a distant
female to within short range, the bird coming through the
thickest of the cypress grove, stopping at short intervals to
call and listen for a reply.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 287
The food of this species during a portion of the year con-
sists largely of smooth-skinned caterpillars, besides numer-
ous beetles and ants; the latter are always obtainable and
growing to a large size figure as an important item of their
diet. The scarcity of decayed trees with the exception of fall-
en ones, necessitates either work upon seasoned wood or the
resort to dead palm stumps. The nests ivill therefore be
found at heights varying from three to fifteen feet.
By March 16, the birds were invariably found in pairs,
and my wish to secure a setting of eggs before departing
seemed in a fair way of being fulfilled. Strolling among
the cypress on the 27th of March, I found four trees upon
which the birds were at work or had been recently, and in
such cases the birds themselves were always to be found in
the immediate vicinity. Passing a half-dead tree I heard
the sounding taps of a woodpecker at work, and as I neared
the spot, the slight noise which I made as I carefully picked
my way over the rock-strewn ground caused a handsome
male bird to suddenly appear at an opening about four feet
high. With a foot grasping either side of the entrance he
gazed upon the intruder. Having comprehended the situa-
tion, he flew to another tree, where he quietly awaited ni}^
inspection and departure. The hole was then down about
fifteen inches. By April 7, it had reached a depth of about
twenty inches and contained six fresh eggs, upon which the
female was then sitting. As no description has hitherto
appeared of the eggs of this species it may be well to pre-
sent here the measurements of this set. (No. 803, author's
oological collection.) They correspond exactly, both in
color and general shape, with scores of other eggs of this
genus, and offer the following measurements in millimeters :
28x22; 28x22; 28x22.5; 29x22; 29.5x22; 29.5x22.
A comparison of the measurements of the specimens
taken on Guadalupe Island with those of the same genus
which I have in my possession may be of interest.
Although on the one hand the collection from the island
288
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
is probably the largest that has been obtained, yet on the
other hand my series of the other form is not as full as could
be desired, and furthermore I possess neither specimen nor
description of the recently added variety saturatior. In the
late revision of the nomenclature of North American birds,
the variety hyhridus was rejected. It seemed improbable
that the wide departures from typical examples of either
waratiis or cafer could be attributed to hybridism. This
fact impressed itself more and more on my mind by the
ever - increasing occurrence of the so-called Hybrid Flicker.
Specimens of this genus, however, are found which no
stretch of the imagination can reconcile with any existing
description of aaratns, cafer or rufipileus, and I have no
doubt that similar departures may be found in specimens of
clirysoides and saturatior.
DIMENSIONS OF 5 ad.G. RUFIPILEUS.
1
Collector's No.
Date. 1886.
Wing.
Tail.
Tail-feathers
Bill from iiostiil.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
2405
Jau. 8.
146
127
110
34
2406
Jan. 8.
149
123
112
32
2460
Feb. 2.
148
120
116
33
2509
Feb. 12.
145
126
116
32
2511
Feb. 12.
147
124
111
34
2514
Feb. 12.
150
122
108
30
2521
Feb. 15.
152
129
109
36.5
2522
Feb. 15.
145
125
108
34
2524
Feb. 19.
147
123
108
35
2525
Feb. 19,
14G
128
114
36
Average . .
144.5
124.7
111.2
33.5
No 2406.— Length 312 mm. Extent, 499 mm.
No. 2460. — Stomach gorged with large black ants.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 289
DIMENSION OF ? ad. C. RUFIPILEUS.
Collector's No.
Date. 1886.
Wing.
Tail.
Tail-feathers.
Bill from nostril.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
2380
Jan. 2.
149
126
Ill
29
2381
Jan. 4.
146
120
108
32.5
2407
Jan. 8.
143
119
104
33
2526
Jan. 23.
148
123
108
36
2427
Jan. 23.
148
125
110
31
2512
Feb. 12.
154
129
115
34
2513
Feb. 12.
148
124
109
32
2515
Feb. 12.
141
117
104
34
2516
Feb. 12.
146
120
107
33
2527
Feb. 19.
143
125
109
30
Average. . .
146.6
122.8
108.5
32.4
No. 2380.— Length 328.8 mm. Extent 487 mm. Iris dark reddish-brown.
No. 2381.— Length 312 mm. Extent 476 mm.
No. 2427.— Ovaries small.
COLAPTES CAFEE ? ad.
Collector's No.
Collector's Name.
Locality.
Date.
Bill from nostril.
169
W. E. Bryant.
Berkeley, Cal.
Jan. 22, 1881.
mm.
31
564
a it
Oakland, Cal.
Feb. 25, 1882.
32
599
"
Mt.Diablo,Cal.
Apr. 1, 1882.
32.5
772
Oakland, Cal.
Feb. 22, 1883.
30
1065
D. S. Bryant.
Mt.Diablo,CaL
May 5, 1878.
31
1095
(C (t
Oakland, Cal.
Mar. 27, 1879.
31
1175
tc a
Lafayette, CaL
Mar. 20, 1883.
30
1742
W.E. Bryant.
Oakland, Cal.
Jan. 25, 1885.
32
1985
it a
" "
Mar. 12, 1885
31.5
2636
" "
Scott , Cal.
May 28, 1883.
29
31
No. 564.— Cheek-patches indistinct.
No. 599.— Tail pinkish; crown, light tawny-brown.
No. 1065.— One outer tail-feather yellow.
No 1095. — Narrow, red nuchal crescent.
No. 1175.— Forehead brown.
No. 1742. — Crown rufous brown.
No. 2636.— Tail red; one outer feather yellow. Anterior portion of crown
tawny-brown. Caught on nest containing seven eggs.
290 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
COLAPTES CAFER $ ad.
Collector's No.
Collector's Name.
Location.
Date.
Bill from nostril.
980
1006
D. S. Bryant.
D. S. Bryant.
Oakland, Cal.
Gilroy, Cal.
Nov. 18, 1877.
Dec. 2S, 1877.
33
34
By an inspection of the preceding tables, it will be seen
tliat the long bill is by no means a constant difference.
While the length will average greater in rufipileus, specimens
are found with the bill shorter than the average of cafer.
The two examples of cafer given in comparison with rufipi-
leus in the "Ornithology of Guadeloupe Island" were from
Washington Territory, and under the present arrangement,
I presume would be classed as saturatior, rather than as
" true Mexicanus" {cafer).
As yet I have seen no description of the male plumage of
the Guadeloupe Flicker, but I am informed that one is soon
to be published.
Some of the specific characteristics which serve to distin-
guish this insular species from the continental form, cafer,
will be briefly noticed.
In the majority of the specimens before me, the charac-
teristic of the more pinkish tinge to the rump and upper
tail coverts — especially the latter — seems to hold good.
But in some individuals these parts are whiter than will be
found in certain specimens of cofer. By raising the upper
tail coverts and viewing them from the under side, the
depth of the coloring may be best determined- This is of a
sulphurous tinge in auratus.
The bright tawny forehead is usually brighter in the
males, and extends farther back on the neck. No specimens
of cafer, which I have examined, are as richly marked as the
most typical examples of riifipileus, but individuals of the
latter sometimes posjsjess less of the tawny brown than ex-
treme cases among cafer.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 291
I have found but two exceptions to the extent of black on
the ends of the retrices. One in the case of a female rujipi-
leus, in which the black reaches only about 38 mm. from
the ends of the feathers, and the other a female cafer (for-
merly hyhridus) in which the black extends about 57 mm.
In typical rufijnkus, the black covered about 63 mm. of the
ends. This I found to be the most contrtant difference.
The absence in every case of a definite or clearly defined
cheek-patch in the females, and also the absence of mar-
ginal light spots on the outer web of the exterior retrices in
both sexes, will aid in determining this species. These
spots, although rarely if ever wanting in typical cafer are
seldom or never found in ritfipileus. An apparent exception
is found in a male from Guadeloupe Island, which has a
slight touch of light on the webs.
10. Micropus melanoleucus.
White-throated Swift. — On January 12, a flock of about
fifty swifts passed near camp, moving towards the north-
east. They flcAV in every direction, but kept well together,
and gradually ascended to a higher altitude. I could not
get near enough to distinguish any characteristic markings.
They were again seen during a few hours of sunshine on the
15th, but only at a distance.
A storm of wind, rain and dense fog, which had lasted
almost without interruption for twelve days, cleared away
January 21, and with the welcome and returning sunshine
came the swifts. They were flying lower than usual, and
occasionally one would chatter as he swept above the tree-
tops. The birds Avere feeding upon a species of slender
black fly, with which the air was swarming, and although
dispersed for a time by the report of a gun, they soon re-
turned to their feast. As late as April, they were still on
the island, but only a few at a time were seen, the flock hav-
ing evidently separated, although not apparently paired off.
One calm day, about a dozen birds were seen skimming low
over the grass in the manner of swallows. As far as my ob-
292
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
servations go, this is sometliiiig unusual for this species,
which usually desceuds towards the earth only in dull, rainy
weather in pursuit of insects driven lower by the humid
atmosphere. If the birds were to remain on the island dur-
ing the summer, they could lind an abundance of suitable
nesting places in the cliffs, either on the shore or on the
side of the table-land where the small cypress grove stands.
LIST OF SPECIMENS.
Collector's number.
Sex nud age.
Date.
2411
2584
9 ad.
9 ad.
Jan. 21, 1886.
March 26, 1884.
2584.— Ovaries, small.
11. Trochilus anna.
Anna's Humming-bird. — This diminutive straggler is no
doubt tlie species seen by Dr. Palmer eleven years ago, but
of which he did not succeed in obtaining a specimen. I
had been in hopes of finding in this bird a new species of
hummer. When the month of March arrived and I had not
even caught a glimpse of the bird, although on one or two
occasions I had heard it buzz as it went past, my hopes of
securing this unidentified species were almost gone, and I
fully resolved to shoot on sight the first I saw. Eeturning
one day to my temporary camp from an excursion through
the pine belt, both barrels of my gun loaded with round
ball (IJ oz.), I stopped at the foot of a fallen pine, intent
upon watching a small band of goats, when suddenly my
Mexican companion seized my arm and whispered: ''la
chuparrosa, senor." Following with my eyes the direction
indicated by his outstretched hand, I saw a female hummer
upon a dead twig among the pine branches, pluming her-
self. The feelings I experienced some years ago in meeting a
panther, at dusk, in a wooded canon when my gun was
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 293
loaded for quail, were not dissimilar to those which now
came over me as I gazed upon the coveted hummer not fif-
teen feet away, and realized that my gun contained ball.
As I broke open the breech and dropped the provoking
loads, the bird rose and hovering about for a few seconds,
during which I reloaded and waited in a fever of suspense,
she returned to nearly the same spot, when I fired and killed
— only an Anna humming-bird. Later I took another fe-
male, and afterwards a male, the two latter being found in
the small cypress grove. The dearth of honied flowers must
at times force them to subsist almost entirely upon insect
food. The Mexicans told me that I would find them in
great numbers about the palm trees on the northwestern
slope; but an expedition to that region resulted in a total
failure as far as the object for which it was undertaken was
concerned, although the addition of two more straggling
species to those already taken compensated me for the fa-
tigue of the journey.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Colleclor's No.
Sex and age.
Date. 1886.
2588
2531
2582
$ ad.
? ad.
? ad.
March 29.
March 4.
March 22.
12. Stumella magna neglecta.
Westeen Meadow lapjv.— -A single specimen was seen in
the palm grove on the 22d day of March. Although I ap-
proached quite near as he sat, loudl}^ singing from the top
branch of a fallen pine, I failed to capture him. That un-
successful shot, one of the " unaccoun tables " of a hunter-
naturalist's experiences, seemed at the time to be one of the
keenest disappointments of my life.
13. Carpodacus amplus.
Guadalupe House Finch. — When I arrived at the island
294 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
in January, 1885, a few birds, usually in pairs, were found
near the settlement. At the door of one of the huts, hang-
ing in a cage, were several of this species, one of which,
an adult male, had assumed the yellow plumage which others
of this genus take on when confined.
Soon after settling on the top of the island in December,
1885, the " Gorrions " began to collect about the camp,
making the mornings joyous with their song.
By our refraining from discharging fire-arms in the im-
mediate vicinity of the camp, they soon became quite tame,
hopping about camp during the day, and roosting at night iii
the thickest cypress, or, during a storm, under the eaves of
the palm-thatched huts. On the 24th of January I counted
fourteen within a stone's throw of camp, and attracted by
the bread crumbs and other food which I threw out for
them, their numbers daily increased until on the 1st of
February the census of birds in camp, including both sexes,
showed a total of twenty-two. Two weeks later they sud-
denly departed, and were to be found only in paii-s about
the cypress groves, save in the center of the pine belt,
where the blossoms and seeds of the " chick-weed " some-
times attracted a flock of half a dozen, who busied them-
selves feasting upon this tender food. Nothing, either in
their habits or song, differed from C. frontalis rhodocolpus.
They are easily entrapped under a box, and it was in this
way that the Mexican women at the settlement succeeded in
catching, during my stay, as many as two or three dozen,
which they ate.
The dissection of specimens showed the food to consist
chiefly of seeds from the cypress tree, mingled with green
seeds of " chick-weed." Some of those taken near camp
had their crops well filled with bits of tallow picked from
the body of a goat which had been dressed and hung under
a tree.
Two nests were found in cypress trees nearly completed
by February 22. A i:est and set of five fresh eggs (No. 792,
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 295
author's oblogical collection), which in consequence of a
heavy storm had been deserted, was taken on the 1st of March.
From this date began the nesting season of this species.
The last nest, taken April 7th, contained five eggs, with
small embryos in them. In nearly every instance, the birds
selected for a nesting place the upper side of a cypress
branch in the angle formed by its intersection with the
trunk, thus avoiding the storm-shaken foliage. They seemed
to show a preference for the leeward side of a tree, where
the nest would be protected from prevailing winds. One
prudent couple had built in a clump of mistletoe, at a height
of twenty feet.
Several pairs built in the tops of palms. The nests were
ordinarily not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground.
The birds make but slight demonstrations while their nest
is being removed, uttering only a few notes of protest, or
silently witnessing a wrong hitherto unknown to them.
The material used for the outer structure of the nests
consisted of the dark, dead stems of weeds, only the finer
ones being selected. One nest found in a pine tree, had
the foundation and sides made of pine needles, with the
invariable lining of goat's hair, black or wdiite being used
indiscriminately. The external diameter of the nest is
about 130 mm., with a central cavity of about 65 mm.
The eggs, sometimes four in number, but oftener five
during the early part of the season, are colored precisely
like the average specimens of C. frontalis rJiodocolpus, the
spots being either sparingly applied or entirely wanting.
They also resemble them in general shape, but the size
serves to distinguish them. - The five eggs of set No. 792,
measure respectively 22x15; 22x15.5; 22.5x15.5; 23 x
15.5; 23 X 16.5 mm. The length measurement varies from
19.5-24 mm., and the width 15-16.5 mm. The average of
thirty-two specimens is 21.3 x 15.5 mm.
In the table of measurements, I have selected from a good
296
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
series, those which exhibit extreme size, more or less, as
well as average specimens.
DIMENSIONS OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collec-
Sex and
Tail-
Bill from
Depth of
Breadth
Tar-
Middle
tor's
Date.
Wing.
No.
ag'-.
featbers
nostril.
bill.
of bill.
sus.
toe.
mm
mm
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
1682
S
ad.
Jan. 15, 18H5.
83
65
11
12
9
19
18
1688
S
ad.
Jan. 15, 1885.
81
63
10.5
12
9
20
16
2376
$
ad.
Jan. 2, 1886.
82
64
10.5
12
9.5
19.5
16
2377
^
ad.
Jan. 2, 1886.
80
63
n
12
9
19.5
17
2465
6
ad.
Feb. 16, 1886.
82
62
10.5
11
9
19
16
2469
S
ad
Feb. 16, 1886.
83
65
11
11
8.5
19.5
16
2.544
$
ad.
Mar. 4, 1886.
84
63
10
11.5
9
19
15
2545
6
im.
Mar. 4, 1886.
80
62
11
11
9
19
17
2549
s
ad.
Mar. 4, 1886.
79
61
10
10
8
18
16
2550
s
ag(
ad.
Mar. 4, 1886.
81
81.5
63
11
12
9
19
19.1
16
Aver
63.1
10 6
11.4
8.9
16 6
No. 2376.— Testes very smalL Length 174 mm.
No. 2377. -Length 171 mm. Extent 263 mm.
Extent 266 mm.
Collect-
Sex
Tail
Bill
Depth of
Breadth
Tar-
Middle
or's
and
Date.
Wing.
from
No.
age.
feathers.
nostril.
bill.
of bill.
sus.
toe.
mm.
mm .
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
1681
V ad.
Jan. 15, 1885
82
62
11
11
9
20
17
1686
'^ad.
Jan. 15, 1885
80
62
10
11
9
19
17
2689
^ad.
Jan 15, 1885
72
62
10
11
9
19
16
2378
Had.
Jan. 2, 1886
79
60.5
10.5
11
8.5
18.5
17
2660
¥ ad.
Feb. 16, 1886
79
63
10
10
9
18
16
2420
V ad.
Jan. 23, 1886
78
57
10
11
9
18
16
2472
Had
Feb. 16, 1886
79
61
10
11
9
19
17
2551
V ad.
March 4, 1886
72
59
10.5
12
8.5
19
17
2552
V ad.
March 4, 1886
79
59
11
11
9
19
17
2553
V ad.
March 4, 1886
79
60
11
11
9
19
16
Average
77.9
60.5
10.4
11
8.9
18.8
16.6
No. 2378.— Ovaries very small. Length, 167.5 mm. Extent, 258 mm
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 297
14. Loxia curvirostra stricklandi.
Mexican Crossbill. — This specie^ found only through
the narrow pine belt, I estimated to number about a score.
They remained high up in the pines, flying hurriedly among
the tree tops, uttering what seemed to me a frightened note.
Occasionally a pair, seldom a single bird, would be seen on
the top of a fallen tree, but never upon the ground. The
only food which dissection proved them to have been feed-
ing upon, was pine seeds. No nests were found, although
several were no doubt being built, if not already completed
by the middle of February. A comparison of the island
cross-bill with typical examples of minor and stricMamU,
shows it to belong to the latter variety, although the upper
mandible is nearlv or quite one-third thicker than the lower.
If we assign all Eastern birds to minor and Western ones
to strickhmdi, an exception must be made of No. 78,186,
which in the Smithsonian Institution is labeled minora
although it came from Santa Cruz, California.
"The diversity in general size, size and shape of bill, and
color which they present is enough to convince any one that
these characters are subject to a wide range of variation and
are not dependent, except within broad limits, on geograph-
ical considerations. ^ ^ ^ -'^ ^ ^ J^ seems obvious
that the variations just referred to are either purely indi-
vidual or dependent on age."^
In the following tabulated measurements, the length of
the exposed culmen is given on account of having been
oftener measured, although it is more difficult to determine
accurately than the distance from nostril, which is also in-
cluded. The bill is found curving to the right as often as
to the left.
Note «— William Brewster in Auk. Vol. VIII. No. 2. p. 261.
298 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Col-
—
Ex
posed
culmen.
Bill from
Depth
Mid-
lect'rs
No.
Sex and
age.
Date. 1886.
Wing.
Tail
feathers
ram.
nostril.
of bill
at
base.
mm.
Tar-
sus.
mm.
dle
toe&
claw.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
2474
^
ad
Feb. 16.
93
54.5
16
14
10
16.5
20
2475
^
ad.
" "
87
51
15
13
9
14
19
2476
!^
ad.
(( <>
100
60
18
16
11
17
20
2480
^'
im.
a a
88.5
53
15
14
10
14 5
19.5
2481
6
ad.
Average. . .
88
52.5
17.5
15
14.4
10.5
10.1
16
15.6
19.5
91.3
52.2
16.3
19.6
2477
?
ad.
Feb. 16.
87
52
15
13.5
9
14
19
2478
?
ad.
<i <t
84
52
16
14
9
14
18
2479
?
ad.
«» c.
90
52
16
14.5
10.5
16
22
2551
?
ad.
March 4.
90
52
17
15
9.5
17
20
Average . . .
87.7
52
16
14.2
9.5
15.2
19.7
LOXIA CURVIROSTRA STRICKLANDI.
Col-
Sex
Ex-
Bill
Depth
Mid-
lec-
and
Tail
posed from
of bill
'J-ir-
dle
tr's
Collector
Locality.
Wing;
feath-
cul-
nos-
at
sus.
toe&
Date
No.
age.
mm.
ers,
mm.
men
!*'"•
base.
claw
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm
mm.
705
cf ad
O.E.Aiken
WniteMts.,Ar
100
60
19
i 16.5
11
18
21
Sep.
30,
•76
d im
L.Locke.
Olema, Cal.
85
51
15
! 13
8
14.5
21
The first is in collection of H. W. Henshaw, the second in collection of W.
O. Emerson.
15. Zonotrichia coronata.
Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Three birds of this species
were found feeding upon "chick-weed" amongst the pines.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's Number.
Sex and age.
Date, 1886.
Remarks.
2502
2503
2532
Qim.
$ im.
9im.
Feb. 16.
Feb. 16.
March 4.
Moulting.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
299
16. Spizella socialis arizonae.
Western Chipping Sparrow. — Returning to camp one
noon, I heard the song-note of this species, and was for-
tunate enough to secure it. No others were known to be on
the island.
In accordance with the division of >S'. socialis into Eastern
and Western forms, this single specimen, taken on Guada-
lupe Island, would have to be assigned to the variety ari-
zo)ice, but in point of fact it will not answer to the original
description (Coue's Key, 187^, p. 143), wherein no measure-
ments are given. A later description, however (B. B. & R.
Hist. N. Am. B., 1874,Yol. II, p. 11), maybe made applicable
to the case of w^estern birds which I have seen from this
State by omitting from the original description: "black
frontlet lacking, and no definite ashy superciliary line, the
sides of the crown merely lighter brown; bill brown, pale
below."
Excepting the bill, which is "brown, pale below," in
this instance, the measurements fall within the limitations
of arizonce.
DIMENSIONS OF SPECIMENS.
Collector's
No.
Sex
and
age
Date.
Wing.
Tail.
Tail
feath-
ers.
Bill
from
nos-
tril.
mm.
6
Tar-
sus.
mm
18
Middle toe
and claw.
Length.
Extent.
2394.
«
Jan. 6, 1886.
mm.
72
mm.
61
mm.
60
mm.
15
mm.
147.5
mm.
231.5
17. Junco hyemalis oregonus.
Oregon Junco. — One bird, which was quite shy, was
taken among the pines on a cold, windy day, during which
the tops of the trees and part of the timber belt were at
times entirely enveloped by fog. When first seen this bird
was being viciously attacked by a resident junco {insularis).
300 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
DIMENSIONS OF SPECIMEN.
Collector's
No.
Sex and age.
Date.
Wing.
Tall
feathers.
Bill from
nostril .
Tarsus.
Middle toe.
•2i89
(?) $ ad.
Feb. 16, 1886
mm .
71
mm.
32
mm.
7.5
mrtL.
20
mm.
16
Kemarks — The wing and tail are both a trifle shorter than specimeus
from Oakland (3) and Big Trees, Cal., (1), but no more than might be ex-
pected in individual variation.
18. Junco insularis.
Guadalupe Junco. — In his notes, Dr. Palmer refers to
this species as "the most abundant birds of the island,"
etc. According to my observation they rank about third in
relative abundance, the rock-wrens and linnets taking pre-
cedence. No juncos were found at a lower altitude than
the palm grove, and the majority were inhabitants of the
pines and large cypress grove. A pair \. hich was evidently
mated was taken in the small cypress grove on the 15th of
January, 1885. The following year not more than two ox
three were seen in this locality.
I did not find them noticeably tamer than the linnets,
nor so confiding as the rock-wrens. Their food was princi-
pally of seeds, a partiality being shown for the green seeds
of the "wild lettuce." Their song was twice heard from
the top of tall cypress trees. It resembles somewhat the
trill of the chipping sparrow. They also had a sharp chip-
ping note when alarmed. They remained mostly either
upon the ground or low down in the branches of trees. The
limbs of a fallen pine were a favorite resort at all times, and
the ground underneath most used as a nesting-place.
The Blue "Gorrions" mated early — soon after the be-
ginning of the year — and were setting by the 26th of Jan-
uary, regardless of the almost continuous fogs and winds.
A nest found March 10 contained four young, hatched but a
few days before. It was placed in a depression, flush with
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 301
the surface of the ground, and so carefully hidden beneath
a covering of brush that it was found with difficulty, even
though I was guided by hearing the young " peeping" for
food. The parent birds, who were close by, seemed but
little alarmed, uttering only an occasional chirp while I
searched for their treasure. Six days later the nest was
vacant, being probably robbed by a stray cat.
Full fledged young were taken March 16; also a nest with
three fresh eggs, which had been found nearly completed on
the 10th. The position of the nest was curious and unique,
and it was only by seeing the birds at work building that I
succeeded in discovering it. A pine tree with a cleft
six feet from the ground, or rather two trees with a common
trunk, grew near to the edge of a precipice, and in this nar-
row cleft partially filled with pme needles the juncos had
built. By standing on a pile of rocks and branches I could
see the eggs lying in the nest, about a foot below where the
trees joined. A fluff of cotton pushed down on the end of a
stick to cover the nest, protected the eggs from bits of
bark and chips, while I enlarged the openiog to a sufficient
size to admit my hand. While the eggs were being care-
fully placed in a collecting box, the birds, who had remained
interested rather than alarmed witnesses to the spoliation,
flew to the tree, and, while the male clung to the bark at
the entrance, the female hopped down within and began the
removal of the debris which had fallen upon the edge of the
nest. This was at length cleared away by repeated trips
into the hole, each journey bringing to the opening a bit of
wood, which was promptly dropped to the ground. The
nest is composed of a few pieces of bark-moss, light-colored
dry grass blades, and a tail feather of a petrel, all surround-
ing a quantity of grass blades, lined within with goat hair.
It measures externally about 120 mm. in diameter by 80
mm. in height, with a receptacle 60 mm. in diameter and
onh^ 28 mm. in depth.
The three eggs which the nest contained (set No. 797,
21— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 6. Issued Jauuary 5, 18H7.
302
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
author's oological collection) were probably a second setting,
the ragged appearance of the female's plumage indicating
previous cares. In color the eggs are a pale greenish white,
marked with fine dots of reddish brown clustered around
the larger end. They measure 19.5x15; 20x15.5; 20x16
millimeters.
MEASUREMENTS OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's
Sex and
Date.
Wing.
Tan
Bin from
Depth of
Tarsus.
Middle
No.
age.
feathers.
nostril.
bill.
toe.
mm.
mm.
mm .
mm.
mm.
mm.
1683
6 ad.
Jau. 15, 1885.
71
61
9.5
7
20
L5
2375
$ ad.
Jan. 2, 1886.
70
62.5
9.5
6
20
15
2385
Sad.
Jan. 4, 1886.
70.5
64
9.5
6 5
20
15.5
2418
Sad.
Jan. 23, 1886.
65
57
9.5
6.5
19.5
15.5
2431
Sad.
Jan. 26, 18S6.
7i»
60
9.
7
19.5
16
2434
Sad.
Jan. 26, 18S6.
65
59
9.
6.5
20
14
2442
Sad.
Jan. 29, 1886.
68
57
9.5
6 5
19.5
15
2458
Sad.
Feb. 4, 18^6.
69.5
60.5
10.
6.5
20
15
2537
Sad.
March 4 1886.
68
60
8.5
6.5
19
15
2575
Sad.
March 16, 1886.
71
62
10.
7
19
15
2 ad.
Average
68.8
65
60.3
9.4
6.6
19.6
15.1
1684
Jan. 15, 1&85.
56
9.
7
20
15
2432
^ad.
Jan. 2fi, 1886.
64
55
9.
6
20
14.5
2574
^ad.
March 16, 1886.
Average
02
63.6
54
8.5
6
19
15
55
8.8
6.3
19.6
14 8
No. 2375. —Testes large; length, 155 mm.; extent, 223 mm.
No. 2385.— Length, 162 mm.; extent, 230 mm.
No. 2431.— Testes very large; mate of No. 24.32.
No. 2458.— Teses very large.
No. 2432. — Setting; mate of No. 2431; parents of nest No. 797.
19. Melospiza lincolni.
Lincoln's Sparrow. — The small cypress grove, on the
border of which I had my permanent camp, was my favor-
ite ground for observation and furnished me with many
stragglers, among which was a pair of these birds. They
were taken on different days from among the brush inclosing
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
303
an old goat corral. The slightest noise would drive them
into the dense brush, from which they would again appear
when all was quiet.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's No.
Sex and age.
Date, 1886.
Remarks.
2461
2523
$ ad.
? ad.
Febriiarj' 5.
February 19.
Testes small.
Ovaries small .
20. Passerella iliaca unalaschensis.
Townsend's Sparrow. — One bird was taken among the
pines, but so badly cut by the shot that the sex could not
be -determined. No others were seen.
DATA OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's Number,
Age.
When Collected.
2490
"^ad.
Feb. 16, 1886.
21. Pipilo consobrinus.
Guadalupe Towhee. — The towhees were found only in
the large cypress grove. They were easily overlooked un-
less directly in one's path among the trees. When singing
the bird could be readily traced and secured, but in such
cases it was always a male. Only two females were seen,
and I cannot believe, that their number was in any degree
equal to that of the males, for otherwise I do not believe it
possible that I could have so completely overlooked them,
even though they might have been setting. I was about
the grove at all hours of the day, camped there, and was
astir at break of dawn, even before the male towhee had
mounted his throne on the topmost branch of a cypress and
had sounded his morning trill. This song closely resem-
bles that of P. maculatus megalonyx, but has one important
304 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
variation which was almost invariably given, and which I
have never heard from megalonyx. This consists in a single
quick note, somewhat like a bluebird's, given immediately
before the trill, as though it was the click or chuck of the
machinery that released the sound which followed. At a
distance, when the trill could be distinctly heard, the single
quick chuck would pass unnoticed. When I first heard this
combination it occurred to me that a bluebird was in the
same tree or near by, but closer observation proved the
Towhee to be the sole author of it.
The only food upon which they fed consisted of insects.
A young bird in company with the adult pair was found in a
fallen cypress top, but no eggs of this species were taken.
Ch. — Young (first plumage). Above rusty olive brown,
darker on sides of head. Feathers of interscapular region
black, edged, more broadly on the outer web, with pale
brown. Underparts j^ellowish brown, darkest on throat,
grading into white od the abdomen and to light reddish
brown on side; the feather streaked with black. Sides of
chin, black, leaving a light line of about the same width
between. White markings on wings and visible edges of
greater wing coverts narrowly edged with rusty brown.
Eyes muddy brown.
(No. 2585. Author's collection, Guadalupe Island,
March 26, 1886.)
AVing, 80 mm; Tail feathers, 71 mm.; Bill from nostril,
7.5 mm.; Tarsus, 23 mm.: middle toe, 20 mm.; hind claw,
12 mm.
It much resembles on the back the young plumage of the
same age of P. maculatiis oregonus (No. 983. Author's collec-
tion, Wilbur, Or., June 20, 1883), but the latter is darker
on sides of neck, and has the feathers of sides and crissum
rich reddish-brown.
The underparts correspond closely to the young of P.
macalatus megalonyx {^o, 2298, author's collection, Oakland,
Cal., June 3, 1885), which is somewhat younger. I believe
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
305
if they were of the same age it would be impossible to sej;
arate them.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's
Sex and
When
colle-.ted,
Wing
Tail
Tail
Bill
from
Depth
Breadth
Tar-
Mid-
dle
Hind
No.
age
1886
mm.
feathers
nos-
tril
of bill
mm.
of bill
sus
toe
claw
mm.
mm.
mm .
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm .
2419
$ad.
Jan. 23
80
86
97
9
9
7
26
18
13
2450
Sad.
Feb. 2
78
81
88
9.5
9
7
26
18
13
2506
sad.
Feb. 12
78
85
93
9
9
7.5
25
19
14
2507
Sad.
Feb. 12
80
86
94
9.5
9
7
26
18
12
2508
Sad.
Feb. 12
80
88
96
10
9
7
24
19
13
25fi9
Sad.
Mar. 12
79
83
90
9 5
8.5
7
25
19
13
2570
Sad.
Mar. 12
79
86
94
9.5
9
7
24
19.5
13
2571
Sad.
Mar. 12
80
87
94.5
9.5
9
7
24.5
19.5
13
2580
Sad.
Mar. 22
80
87
96
10
9
7
24.5
20
13.5
2587
Sad.
Mar. 26
Av'g...
81.5
79.5
87
95
10
8.5
6.5
24
19
13
85.6
93.7
9.5
8.9
7
24 9
18.9
13
2388
2586
? ud.
? ad.
Jan. 5
Miir. 26
Av 2...
74
75.5
9.5
10
9
6 5
24
18
13
81
90
9
7
25.5
19
13
No. 2419. — Testes large. Iris orange, tinged with carmine around pupil.
No. 2459. — Iris orange, tinced with carmine.
No. 2507. — Iris carmine.
No. 2569. — Iris carmine.
No. 2388. — Iris orange.
22 Ampelis cedrorum.
Cedar Waxwing. — Christmas morning was the brightest
and fairest I enjoyed during more than one hundred days
of my sojourn on the island. Taking a stroll through the
small cypress grove in search of birds not before met with,
I was rewarded by seeing what I supposed to be one of this
species, but was unable to capture it. Nothing was seen or
heard of it again for more than a month, until one pleasant
afternoon, as I was engaged in preparing specimens in the
ient, I heard the notes of the Cedar Bird close by, and
306 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
going outside, was just in time to get a flying shot at the
retreating bird — but missed it. Those who have had a
similar experience can imagine my feelings when that bird
disappeared. I knew, beyond any reasonable doubt, that it
was^. cedrorum, yet the lack of any positive evidence of
the fact, left me brooding over my disappointment for the
next two hours. The unexpected reappearance of the bird,
however, quickly dispelled the gloom. This time I took all
possible precaution, and succeeded in making this hand-
some addition to my collection of Guadalupe stragglers.
DATA OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's Number.
Sex and age.
Date,
2437
$ im.
Jan. 28, 1886.
Remarks— No wax tips.
23. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.
White-rumped Shrike. — Two specimens of these butcher-
birds were seen on the central part of the island. Both
were heard singing in low, liquid tones, quite pleasing to the
ear. They were very shy, although to a less degree tlian
birds of the same species which were met with in 1885 on
Cerros Island, Lower California.
Considering the abundance of larvae, coleopterous insects
and occasional grasshoppers, one would suppose that the
*'menu" of the Shrike left nothing for her to desire, but
on dissecting a specimen, I found amongst the caterpillars,
which the distended gizzard contained, a tiny golden foot of
Guadalupe's sweetest songster, the Dusky Kinglet.
In color this bird is much lighter than the same species
from Oakland, Cal., and more closely resembles specimens-
from Tulare, Cal., and Tucson, A. T.
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 307
DATA OP SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's Number.
Sex and age.
When Collected,
2370
? ad.
December 29^ 1885.
24. Dendroica auduboni.
Audubon's Waebler. — The only ones seen, two in num-
ber, were taken on stormy days in the small cypress grove.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED,
Collector's Number.
Sex,
Date.
2368
2404
6
December 28. 1885.
January 12, 1886.
25. Anthus pensilvanicus.
American Pipit. — On the evening of February 2, while
going to the alkali pools to watch for owls, I heard faintly
the note of a Titlark. The evening was very calm, the sun,
just set, cast a beautiful afterglow about the sky; there was
just light enough remaining to enable me to distinguish the
birds working their way among the rocks. That I might
make sure of at least a single specimen for identification, I
fired at the one nearest me. The flock, about twenty-five in
number, at once rose and circled past out of range; and I
saw them no more.
DATA OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's No.
Sex.
Date.
2451
S (?)
February 2, 1886.
26. Oroscoptes montanus.
Sage Thrasher. — In making my rounds of the small cy-
press grove on a cold, cloudy and windy morning in Jan-
308
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
nary, I saw and heard fewer birds than ever before or since.
It was seldom that I did not take or note something of in-
terest on these short excursions, and on tiiis day I secured
a handsome specimen of the Sage Thrasher, which was
found among the leafless branches of a fallen tree. No song;
nor even a single note was heard from him.
DATA OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's No.
Sex and age.
Date.
2400
S ad.
January 7, 1886.
Remarks — Iris yellow. Fat. Contained only caterpillars.
27. Mimus polyglottos.
Mocking Bird. — Two birds, apparently a mated pair,
were seen on a fallen pine at the northern edge of the palm
grove. First attracted to the place by the delightful song
which floated upon the air, I saw one of the birds in the act
of pouncing upon something in the grass, in the manner of
a shrike. When alarmed they flew higher and higher among
the branches of a tall pine, so that only the female was cap-
tured. Having never before seen this bird in a wild state,
I regretted the act which, in compliance with strict scientific
requirements, deprived that sea bound spot of so much
sweet music.
SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's No
Sex and age.
Date.
2579
? ad.
March 16, 1886.
Remaiks -Iris yellow. Ovaries small.
28. Salpinctes guadeloupensis.
Guadalupe Rock Wren. — This species, undoubtedly the
most common of the birds on the island, was distributed
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 309
from the beach to the summit, but was found to be most
numerous on the upper and central portions. They were by
nature tamer than anv birds I ever met with. While re-
treating, if approached, they wouki in turn draw quite near
to a person who remained perfectly quiet. Sitting down
one afternoon upon a log, I saw a Rock Wren come hopping
closer and closer to where I was resting, until at length he
perched upon my shoe. Then seeing a sandy spot just be-
yond, he availed himself of the opportunity by taking a
dust-bath. So close was he to me that I could have reached
him with my foot, yet constantly in motion, searching here
and there among the rocks for food, he seemed entirely un-
conscious of my presence. Even when standing they are
seldom quiet, a nervous twitch of the tail or toss of the head
bearing witness to the incessant activity so characteristic of
these little cieatures.
Seldom silent, they have, in addition to their ringing call,
ix considerable variety of song. I became accustomed to
the variations of four or five difi'erent birds, and noticed
that each had a song peculiar to himself but differing from
the songs of his fellows. One little wren near camp was in
the habit of beginning his song each morning at about half-
past six, never varying five minutes from his self-appointed
time. They are usually seen on the ground or upon a rock
or stump. One remarkably foggy morning, I noticed one
sitting on the top of a sage-bush, while on fine days, I have
seen them mounted to the height of twenty feet on a dry
cypress twig, singing their cheerful song.
Their food consisted mainly of caterpillars and beetles.
I watched one pick to pieces and devour successively three
small Carabide beetles.
The weather does not seem to be taken into consideration
by any of the resident species. Tiie rock-wrens are the
first to begin nesting, and endeavor to conduct their do-
mestic affairs thrctugh the stormiest times, though not
iJways with success. Many abandoned nests were found,
310 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
some with and some without eggs, deserted, probably, on
account of long continued wet weather. The location of
the nest, however, plays an all-important part in the success
or failure of the first builders. A few birds began the con-
struction of their nests in December, and one had her work
nearly completed on the 25th of December, 1885. Four
fresh eggs were found in it on January 17th. The breeding
season, strictly speaking, extends from the middle of Jan-
uary through the month of March.
Nests were found in cavities of immense boulders, under
rocks, in fallen and decayed trunks of cypress trees, the
latter location being apparently a favorite one. But wher-
ever the nests were located the passages leading to them
were, with one or two exceptions, paved with flat pebbles
ranging in size from a Lima bean to a half dollar. Fully a
quart of these pebbles were removed from the entrance to
a nest built in a boulder at a height of four feet, where, at
some previous time, other birds had evidently built and
accumulated their share of the pavement. As a rule scarcely
an ordinary handful of stones are used. The nest is built
in close conformity to the size and shape of the cavity
which it occupies, being usually circular and varying from
a shallow bed of fine dry grasses to a nest of the same ma-
terial measuring 150 mm. in diameter and 60 mm. high.
The egg receptacle is from 55 mm. to 70 mm. in diameter,
and not more than 30 mm. in depth. A lining of goat
hair when obtainable is invariably used. I followed one
bird fully an hundred yards from the spot where she had
collected some goat hair before the nest was reached.
The eggs are usually four, though sometimes five in
number, and resemble both in color and shape those of
the common rock-wren {S. ohsoletus).
Set No. 781 (author's oological collection) measures:
17 X 14; 17 X 14.5: 18 x 14.5; 18.5 x 14.5 mm.
Set No. 782 (author's oological collection) offers the fol-
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 311
lowing measurements in millimeters: 19 x 14; 19 x 14;
19.5 xU.5; 19.5 x 14.5; 19.5 x 15.
The average size ascertained from a series of fifty-five
eggs, is 19 X 14 mm.
The two largest eggs measured 21 x 15 mm. and 20 x 16
mm. respective!}' ; the two smallest, 17 x 14 mm.
Two different stages of the young plumage w^ere taken,
descriptions of which are here given :
Ch. — Young. Above similar to adult but "niuch darker,
especially the head and neck, Avhich lack the speckled mark-
ings. Wings and tail as in adult but darker, the bars
across middle tail-feathers dull black. The outer half of the
pale cinnamon on end of tail-feather finely mottled with
dusky. Under parts pale pinkish cinnamon; the entire
throat obscured with a faint dusky suffusion. Crissum
darker than abdomen and unmarked.
Wing, 67 mm.; tail feathers, 53 mm.; bill from nostril, 12
mm.; tarsus, 19 mm.; middle toe, 13 mm.
(No. 2530 — Imm iture, author's collection. Guadalupe
Island, February 19, 1886.)
First Plumage. — Above lighter than the immature speci-
men and grayer than the adult plumage. Below, including
throat, pale sulphurous white, becoming pinkish on sides,
and crissum, which is unmarked.
Wing, 57 mm.; tail feather, 34 mm.; bill from nostril, 8.5
mm.; tarsus, 20.5 mm.; middle toe, 14 mm.
(No. 2125 — Nestling, author's collection. Guadalupe
Island, January 23, 1886. )
By the table of measurements it will be seen that the bills
of specimens (collected eleven years after the species was
discovered) average about 15.5 mm.; while those taken in
1875 I find to average fully a millimeter less. A decade
hence it will be interesting to know whether this increasing
development has still continued.
312
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's No.
2395
2397
2398
2422
2423
2443
2444
2445
2534
2630
2396
2446
2449
2450
Sex and
age.
Date, 1886.
$ ad.
S ad.'
ad.
ad
ad.
ad.\
ad ,
ad.
ad,.
ad.\
January 6.
January 6.
January 6.
January 23
January 23
January 29
January 29
January 29
March 4.
Janiiary 29
I Average..
9 «'^/.j January 6.
? C((Z. January 29
$ orZ. January 29
? rt(Z. January 29
Average . .
Wing.
mm.
65
66.5
67
69
68
68
68
66
71.5
68
<i.j
66
64
63
64
64.2
Tail
feathers
Tail.
mm.
48
49
48.556
52
mm
52
54
49
51
52
48
53
52
50.2
50
45
46
47
47
54
57
57
54
58.5
57
55.5
55
50
54
53.5
53 1
Bill from
nostril,
mm.
mm.
15
21
15.5
21
17
21
16
20
16
22.5
15
22
16
22
]6
21
17
22
15
21
15.8
21.3
16.5
21
17
21.5
15
21
14
20
15.6
20.8
Middle
toe.
mm.
14
13
14
13
14
14
14
14.5
14.5
15
14
14
15
IS
13
13 7
No. 2534 — Ferruginous shade on breast and abdomen.
No. 2396. — Feathers worn off breast from setting. Length, 152 mm.; ex-
tent, 217 mm.
No. 2446. — Contained four very large ova.
29. Thryothorus brevicaudus.
Guadalupe Wren. — This rare local species has become
much restricted in distribution and perhaps m number since
Dr. Palmer obtained the only two known specimens in 1875.
I am informed that no collecting was done at that time
among the pines on the northern portion of the island, in
which place alone was I able to discover any trace of this
species; and as no collecting was done by Dr. Palmer among
the palms (an unlikely place for the birds to be found), I
infer that the two original specimens must have been found
toward the central portion of the island.
The birds were timid rather than shy, being alarmed by
tlie crushing of dry branches as I worked my way amid-t
the dense windfalls of pines, where they were found, they
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
313
fled into the thickest parts. When all was quiet they would
Ciiutiously approach until within a few feet of me, seeming-
ly prompted by curiosity. Fearing the complete extermi-
nation of a species so restricted in distribution, I refrained
from taking more specimens. All that I secured were taken
within an area of sixty by three hundred feet, nor were any
seen elsewhere. A frightened female uttered a few '' twit"
" twits" of alarm, but with this exception they were utterly
silent.
A careful and protracted search during the greater part
of two days, with the aid of my Mexican companion, failed
to discover the whereabouts of a nest, the eggs of which
remain unknown.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's
Sex and
Date.
Wing.
Tail
Tail.
Exposed
Bill from
Tarsus.
Middle toe.
No.
age.
1886.
feathers.
culraen.
nostril.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
2483
i ad.
Feb. 16
48
44
48
37 5
12
17
12
2484
{t)$ad
it «j
49
44
50
17
12
18
12
2486
iad.
.. it
48
43
47.5
17
12
17
12.5
2487
sad.
" "
48
45
47
17
12
18
12
Av'g..
48.2
44
48 1
17.1
12
17.5
12.1
2482
9 ad.
Feb 16.
47
43
45
16
11
]8
11
2485
? ad.
"
47
42
47
16
11
17.5
11.5
2488
^ad.
' ' "
49
43
47
17
11.5
17.5
12
Av'g..
47.6
42.6
46.3
16.3
11.1
17.6
11.5
No. 2483. — Contained insects and two pine seeds. Length, 134mm. Extent,
165 mm.
No. 2484. — Sex not determined.
No. 2482.— Ovaries large. Eyes, dark brown. Contained insects.
No. 2485.— Ovaries small.
No. 2488.— Ovaries large.
30. Sitta canadensis.
Eed-beeasted Nuthatch. — Tolerably common among the
314 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pine timber, and found nowhere else except in the large
cypress grove, where two or three were heard.
By the 10th of March several birds had begun their pre-
parations for nesting. Selecting a dead pine stump or
branch they worked industriously, striking little resounding
taj)S with their bills. Two unfinished holes were found,
one at a height of about forty feet in a slender dead pine,
being just commenced, while the other, near the top of a pine
stump fifteen feet high, had been cut to a depth of four or five
inches, thus rendering necessary the removal of chips. This
process was effected by regular stages, the bird bringing a
mouthful of debris to the opening, where, entirely visible
with the exception of her tail, she clung to the edge of the
opening, head downward, until the chips were launched
into the air.
Specimens which were taken on January 26 and February
16, do not vary in size from specimens of this species from
other localities.
31. Regulus obscurus.
Dusky Kinglet. — Frequenting more numerously the large
cypress grove, they are nevertheless found in the smaller
grove, and also among the pines. In the former and latter
places they are positively known to breed, and there is but
little doubt that they also nest in the small grove. They
are much tamer than others of this genus found elsewhere,
still they do not seek a close acquaintance with a person of
hunting proclivities.
In December I found them in full song and as common
as in April, although strange as it may seem, it was not un-
til the latter month that any were noticed by Dr. Palmer.
Their song is indescribably sweet and musical, and of
wonderful power for so small a bird, commencing with a
few low, quick notes, as though the singer were merely try-
ing his voice, then bursting into a full animated warble, it
ends in a dissyllabic measure, accented on the first syllable,
and usually repeated from three to six times. One remark-
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND. 315
ably fine songster repeated the final dissyllable eight or ten
times. Only once did I hear the metallic click, so common
with the Oakland birds in winter, but even then it flowed
immediately into song.
As early as the middle of February nest-building was in
order, the birds selecting the topmost foliage of a cypress,
and sometimes the very outer extremity of a horizontal
branch .
As the result of many days' diligent search, three nests
came under my observation, and these were detected only
by watching the birds as they collected building material,
or by tracing to its source a peculiar, low song, which the
male sometimes sings when close to the nest.
These nests were all found over twenty feet high, and
only one could be seen from the ground, and that merely
during the intervals when the wind parted the branches.
They were placed in the midst of a thick bunch of foliage,
and but lightly secured to the twigs. Compact, though not
very smooth in structure, they were composed of soft
strips of bark intermingled with feathers, bits of moss,
fine grass and cocoons. Additional warmth is secured by
a quantity either of goat's hair or feathers, and, lastly, a
thin lining of goat's hair. Their external measurement is
about 70 mm. in height by 90 mm. in diameter, while the
internal depth is about 45 mm., and diameter from 35 mm.
to 45 mm.. The mouth of the opening is smaller than im-
mediately below.
A nest containing two fresh eggs (set No. 799, author's
oological collection) was found in the top of a slender
cypress twenty-five feet high, March 24. It could not be
seen from the ground, but was located by the subdued song
of the male bird. As I ascended the tree and approached
the nest, the female flew off and joined her mate in a neigh-
boring tree. She made no demonstrations whatever, and
was not again seen, while her partner, undisturbed by my
intrusion continued to warble his richest song.
316
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCEb.
In color the eggs are white, with a dense wreath of pale
yellowish -brown spots encircling the larger end. In some
places, these spots appear to be laid over a pale lavender
washing, and in one specimen, these fine, almost indistinct
dots extend sparingly over the entire surface. They measure
in millimeters 14 x 11 and 15 x 11.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collect-
or's No.
Sex and
age.
Date,
1886.
Wing
Tail
feathers.
Tail.
Bill
from
nostril.
Tarsus
Middle
toe.
Length.
Extent
2371
2390
S ad.
S ad.
S ad.
5 ad.
6 ad.
$ ad.
$ ad.
S ad.
5 ad.
6 ad.
? ad.
? ad.
? ad.
Jan. 2
Jau. 6
Jan. 6
Jan. 6
Jan. 6
Jan. 23
Jan. 23
Jau. 23
Jan. 29
Feb. 2
Av'g..
Jau. 2
Jan. 29
Feb. 2
Av'g..
mm.
56
53
53
55
54 5
54.5
55
56.5
56
55
mm.
44
40
40
43
41.5
43
44
46
mm.
47
49
mm.
7
6.5
6
6.5
6
6
7
7.5
7.5
6.5
mm.
19.5
18
20
19
20.5
19.5
20
19.5
20
19.5
mm.
10.5
10
10
10
10
10.5
10.5
10.5
10
11
10.3
10
10
10
10
mm.
114
mm.
169
2391
2392
2399
2412
2413
2414
2441
2455
111
lfi4
2373
2439
2456
54.8
51
51
52
51.3
42.8
38.5
40
40.5
42.5
41
44.5
6.6
6
6.5
6
6.1
195
19
19
19 5
19.1
39,6
~
No. 2371.
No. 2456
-Iris dark brown.
-Ovaries small.
The length of bill from nostril of the males taken by Dr.
Palmer, all measure 6.3 mm., and the single female has the
bill but 5.5 mm., showing a slight increase in length during
the past decade. As this measurement can be so accurately
taken, I believe the difference is an actual one.
32. Turdus aonalaschkae.
Dwarf Hermit Thrush. — The strange shyness of the
straggling avifauna of Guadalupe Island was well exempli-
ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
317
fied in the first specimen of this species which I met
with. On the 24th of December, I thought I heard the
note of a Dwarf Thrush, a sound quite familiar to me
during the winter season at Oakland, but could not get
a sight at the author of it. The bird was heard for several
consecutive mornings in the cypress grove adjoining my
camp, but was not seen until the 2d of January. He then
succeeded in eluding me and leading me a daily chase until
the 7th of January, when he was accommodating enough to
call at camp in the evening, announcing his arrival by call-
ing out quickl}^ "chut," ''chut." As the sound apparently
proceeded from beneath a fallen cypress I worked my way
cautiously in that direction, keeping tree trunks between
myself and the place. The ground being smoother than
where I had previously found him, I was not obliged to
look to every footstep, and finally arriving within range, I
caught sight of him on the ground. The report of the gun
was tremendous in the still evening air, and the result final.
I soon had the long-sought prize in hand, beautiful, as
freshly killed specimens of Turdi always are. Two other
specimens were afterwards taken, one in the large palm
grove, the other among the cypress. Neither, however,
was so difficult to approach as the first.
LIST OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED.
Collector's Number.
Sex and age.
Date, 1886.
Remarks.
2401
2436
2583
5 ad.
— ad.
S ad.
January 7.
January 28.
March 26.
Iris dark brown
33. Merula migratoria propiniiua.
Western Robin. — First seen in December. In January
three birds were found and taken on the border of the small
cypress grove.
22— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci.
Issued January 5, 1887.
318 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
LIST OF SPECIMENS.
Collector's Number.
Sex.
Date, 1886.
Remarks.
2382
2386
January 4.
January 4.
January 8.
Fat.
Head only saved.
34. Hesperocichla naevia.
Varied Thrush. — One bird only was seen on the island
among the pine timber.
DATA OF SPECIMEN.
Collector's Number.
Sex aud age.
Date.
2533
? ad.
March 4, 1886.
Kemarks — Gizzard contained larvae, beetles and one pine seed.
35. Sialia arctica.
Mountain Bluebird. — Three birds of this species were
seen on several occasions on the edge of the small cypress
grove; a single one being noticed for the last time on the
15th of February.
DATA OF SPECIMEN COLLECTED.
Collector's Number.
Sex and age.
Date.
2369
$ ad.
December 29, 1885.
Remarks— Iris dark brown. Gizzard contained caterpillars and an elytron
of a beetle.
STANDARD GEODETIC DATA. 319
STANDARD GEODETIC DATA.
COMMUNICATED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SUPERINTE>JDENT OF THE UNITED STATKS
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY.
BY PROF. GEORGE DAVIDSON.
Read October 18, 1886.
In the development of the main triangulation of the Pa-
cific Coast, it was early discovered that large and irregular
deflections of the plumb-line existed at the triangulation
stations, whether they were situated on the mountains or in
the plains.
When the main triangulation was undertaken it embraced
lines of unusual length, and one part of the scheme was the
projection of a network across the continent along the 39th
parallel.
In order to collect standard geodetic data for the compu-
tation of the geographical positions on this coast. Assistant
Davidson planned at the outset to have the latitude observ-
ed at each triangulation point; and he also observed the az-
imuth of some one line in the series of directions which were
observed from the same station.
This scheme of trianejulation commenced from an accurate-
ly-measured base-line of nearly eleven miles in length sit-
uate in the plains of Yolo county, California. From this
line it was carried by quadrilaterals to the Coast Eange of
mountains, as far west as Mount Tamalpais; and from the
line Mount Helena — Mount Diablo it stretched across the
great valley of California to the line Mount Lola — Round
Top. This scheme of triangulation was named by the Su-
perintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Sur-
vey the " Davidson Quadrilaterals." The observations at
all the stations have been shown to be remarkably satisfac-
tory, and the discussion has been rigorously carried out in
320 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
the computing division of the Survey, under the direction
of Assistant Schott. From the means abeady at hand, the
following summary of results is made known, wherein it is
seen that the accej^ted standard station for latitude is Mount
Helena, and the standard line for azimuth is Mount
Helena — Mount Diablo. The tabulation exhibits the ob-
served and computed latitudes and azimuths, the probable
error of each determination, and the deflection of the plumb-
line from the means.
Including the stations Mount Lola and Kound Top,
which are the eMsternmost points of the " Davidson Quadri-
laterals," in the Sierra Nevada, we have nine stations, at
each of which the latitude and azimuth were determined as-
tronomically; and we shall take the mean results derived
from all these observations for the formation of the stand-
ard values cTq and «o.
The direct results of the astronomical observations for
latitude require two corrections: one, the reduction to the
station point A; the other, the correction for curvature of
the vertical or reduction to the sea level. The heights re-
quired for the latter purpose are given in Appendix No. 10,
Coast and Geodetic Survey Eeport for 1884, (Mount Lola
being 2,796.4 metres, or 9,175 feet; and Bound Top 3,173.5
metres, or 10,412 feet above the level of the sea.)
For the expression of the curvature between the sea-lev-
el and the altitude of the station, we have (see Clarke's
Geodesy, pp. 101-102), d <p= !^7-, (| m—e) sin 2<p. Put-
r sm X
ting I m— e'=0.0052 \ and log. (r sin r0=1.490,then for A,
the height in metres, and 'V the correction in seconds of
arc we have for the latitude <p
0^=— 0.000167Asin2^; or [7i6.212]A,
for the average latitude 39°; the number within brackets
being a logarithm.
^ — G. Zaebariae. in his Principal Geodetic Points (German transla-
tion by Dr. Lampe, Berlin, 1878), prefers the value 0.00513.
STANDARD GEODETIC DATA. 321
GEODEIIC OK STANDARD LATITUDE c OF MOUNT HELENA,
FOR THE "DAVIDSON QUADRILATERALS."
Astrouomical
Station.
Year
of
Obii.
S. E. Yolo Base.
N.W.Yolo Base.
Monticello
Vaea Mt
Mt. Diablo. . .
Mt. Tamalpais.
Mt. Heleua
Mt. Lola
Round Top
Observed
Astrou'mic'
Latitude.
18^0 38
1880 38
1880 38
1880 3 S
1«76 37
1882 37
187638
1879 39
1879 38
31 34.R2
4 1 37.34
Hd 46.51
22 23.3s
52 49.59
55 19.04
40 01.02
25 57.98
39 46 89
to. 06
0.07
0.09
00;
0.06
0.08
0.06
0.(16
0.08
f en hg
Re d'n
Re d'n
dg*
to
to
5:0 g
Sei
A
Level.
,,
,,
,,
—0.45
—0.00
34.07
—0.13
—0.01
I37.2O
—0.31
-0 15
46 05
+0 37
—0.12
123.63
0.00
-0.19
'49.40
—0.04
—0.13
18 87
+0.47
—0.22
01.27
-0 22
-0.46
57.30!
+0 01
— 0 52
40.38 i
Adopted
Geodetic
Latitude.
(G).
38 31
:J8 40
38 39
38 22
M 52
37 55
38 40
:59 25
3^ 39
35.41
38.03
43.8.-
27.02
4S.70
20.69
04 26
53 34
43.64
Mean .
— 1.34
—('.83
+2.20
—3.39
+0.70
— 1.82
—2.99
+3.96
+ 2.74
—0.09
The .mean difference, A — G, is small, approximating
zero, as it should be. AVe have, therefore, retained and
adopted for the present <p^ for Mount Helena 38" 40' 04.26'',
with a probable uncertainty of ± 0.' 59. The average local
deflection in the meridian is about 2. "2.
GEODETIC OR STAND AED AZIMUTH a^ OF DIRECTION MT. HELEXA
TO MT. DIABLO, FOR THE "DAVIDSON QUADRILATEBALS."
Observed ' . , ^
^ ^
^f«
Adopted
>
Station
To Station
Astronom-
'^yo
sgl
Geodetic
1
No.
Occupied.
Observed.
ical
^P.
cs 0 c
S Sc'^
Azimuth
Q
Azimuth.
a 1
50^^.
(G')
: / ' ' \ ' '
,,
" 1
0 / //
"
1
S. E. Yolo Base.
N. W. Yolo Base
163 07 13.51
4-0.18
—0.00
13.51 1
163 07 15. 07 —1.56
2
N. W.Yolo Base. S. E. Yolo B.ise.
a43 05^02.35
0.16
-0.00
02.35
343 05 04.0:^—1.68
3
-Vloiiticello
Mt. Heleua
91 04 2.5.16
0.21
-0.00
2.5.16,
91 C4 23 79 1.37
4
Vaca Mt
S. E. Yolo Base.
235 38 3<;.44
0.28
0.00
36.44 I
235 38.33.47! 2.97
5
Mt. Diablo
Mt. Heleua
14i 28 16 13
0.15i
* 1
144 28 15.06 1.07
6
Mt. Tamalpais.
Mt. Diablo
274 15 15.39
0.14i
-0.01
15.381
274 15 iri.71 — 0.33
7
Mt. Heleua
Mt. Diablo
324 01 24.86
0.191
324 01 31.04 —6.18
8
Mt. Lola
Mt. Helena
67 21 62.. 57
0.17
-0.16
62.41
67 21 59. .55 2.86
9
Round Top
Mt. Helena
93 58 53.67
0.13
-0.16
53.. 51
90 58 53.01 i - 0.50
Mean. .. — 0.11
322 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The mean difference is sufficiently near zero to retain
the old value, and we adopt for the present «o Mount He-
lena to Mount Diablo :
324° or 31/^04 ±00/'64.
This value will slightly change after the Mount Lola and
Bound Top observations shall have been finally adjusted.
The average local difference in azimuth is about 2/'l.
At the stations Mount Diablo and Mount Helena the as-
tronomical azimuths were referred to a mark and not to a
triangulation point, and the same is the case at Mount Lola
and at Kound Top.
The references to the stations marked by an asterisk ["^j
in the preceding table would therefore be arbitrary since
the results must depend on the adjustment of the directions
of the figure; but by applying a correction which is the
mean of all the corrections to the lines at the stations, the
reference of the astronomical meridian to the geometrical
figure of the triangulation is effected with respect to all di-
rections; thus for the two stations in question:
At Mount Diablo: —
Observed azimuth of the reference mark (Clayton) =
9° 42' 25. ''92 West of North; hence, astronomical azimuth
of the mark = 170° 17' 84."08
Or when reduced to the sea level-^ 170 17 34. 07
At Mount Diablo the mean correction to the
six adjusted directions is + 0/'023
(±0."11); this added to the observed
geodetic direction of the azimuth
(25-49'17."194) gives = 25 49 17. 217
Hence with the corrected direction to Mount
Helena (see below)-- 359 59 59. 273
The angle between the mark and Mount He-
lena, adjusted= 25 49 17. 94
and the astronomical azimuth referred to
Mount Helena becomes 144 28 16. 13
as given in the preceding table.
STANDARD GEODETIC DATA.
323
Siviilarhj at Mount Helena: —
The Observed Azimuth of the reference
mark (Woods) =
the same reduced to the sea level
The mean correction to four adjusted direc-
tions at the station is — 0/'032 (ih 0/^3) .
The angle between the mark and Mount
Diablo adjusted=
Whence the Astronomical Azimuth, re-
ferred to Mount Diablo=
189 18 IL 36
189 18 U. 37
225 16 49. 51
324 01 24. 86
We have also the following table of adjusted directions
at these two stations: —
At Mount Diablo.
At Mount Helena.
Direction to
Result of
Station
Adjustment
Direction to
Result of
Station
Adjustment
a-
Mt. Helena
3 / //
359 .'9 59.918
20 03 30.611
20 19 59.481
25 49 17.194
38 39 09 129
43 24 20.921
310 12 09.218
Mean = +
-.645
—.102
+ .319
+ .086
+ .524
—.047
0.023
59.273
30.509
59.800
(17.217)
09.215
21.445
09.171
Mt Diablo
359 59 .59.927 -.183
33 43 57.138 +.303
60.110
57.441
(49.618)
16.077
43.476
Mt. Tamalpais
Azim. Mark (Woods)
Vaca Mt
Azim. Mark (Clayton)
306 46 16.069
340 03 44.097
Mean =—
4.008
—.621
0.032
North West Base
Yaca Mt
South East Bise
Mt. Tamalpais
Tables of resulting adjusted directions were prepared for
all stations, because the respective mean corrections are to
be applied to all other directions not yet adjusted before
they can be submitted to the process of the next figure ad-
justment which ordinarily is 6i a secondary character.
For the standard Longitude of the triangulation about the
Yolo Base Line, we have to retain at present the telegraph-
ic longitude of San Francisco station at Washington Square,
/=8/^ 09m 38.34 sees, (see Coast and Geodetic Survey Report
for 1884, Appendix No. 11, p. 424) and derive from it for
324 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Mount Helena the value }.^=122- 38' 01/' 41. [This gives
for the present astronomical and telegraphic longitude sta-
tion, Lafayette Park in San Francisco, the longitude west
of Greenwich=:8A 09m 42.72s, or 122° 25' 40." 75.]
These standard geodetic data (p^ «o ''•o ^^'® subject to
changes hereafter; but generally they are best retained
and the small corrections are noted, so long as the changes
do not exceed tlie respective probable errors of these quan-
tities.
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS. 325
EARLY SPANISH VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY ON THE COAST OF
CALIFORNIA.
PROF. GEORGE DAVIDSON, A. M,, PH. D.
Read at the meeting of the Academy, Monday, October 18, 188S.
The following tabulation exliibits in a condensed form
tlie identitication of the "landfalls" of Cabrillo and Fer-
relo, in their exj)lorations of the coast of California in 1542
and 154:3, from Cape San Lucas to latitude 42° 30'.
During my work on the Pacific Coast of the United
States since the spring of 1850, I have been deeply inter-
ested in the discoveries and explorations of the early Span-
ish navigators. My special duties have made me peculiarly
well acquainted with the coast line, and I have thought it
mv duty to establish the identity of the landfalls, which I
believe I have clearly done. Unfortunately, the great
length of the paper in which I have given the details of the
narratives of Ulloa, Cabrillo, Ferrelo, Drake and Yizcaino,
and my explanations, together with a chart, precludes its
publication by the Academy at this time; and it has been
presented, in extenso, to the Superintendent of the U, S.
Coast and Geodetic Survey for publication.
This tabulation contains the resume of the identifica-
tion of the sixty-eight places which Cabrillo and Ferrelo par-
ticularly mention. In it are shown, in parallel columns,
the names b}^ which Ulloa.. Drake and Yizcaino designated
the same localities, together with the modern names. The
latitudes of Cabrillo and Ferrelo were given only to a third
of a degree, with an occasional qualification of "a little
more," or " a little less," while the large and nearly constant
errors indicate very defective instruments. The present
latitudes are taken from the published charts of the United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey.
It should be understood that the whole of the work em-
braced in the paper and in this condensed statement has oc-
cupied much of my unofiicial time during the last two years.
326
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE LANDFALLS OF CABRILLO, (C), AND FERRELO, (F), WITH
AND THE PRESENT
No.
Dates,
1542,1543.
Jim. 22, 1542
Apr. 14, 1543
Jun. 28, 1542
July 2, 1542
July
July
6, 1542
8, 1542
13, 1542
July 19,
25
Name of place by Cabrlllo
and Ferrelo,
El Puerto deNavidad
El Cabo de Corrientes
La Punta de California
El Puerto del Marques
del Valle
El Puerto de la Cruz. .
El Puerto de San Lu-
cas ...
El Puerto de La Trin-
idad
La Punta de la Trini-
dad
Una Isla
El Puerto de San Ped-
ro
La Bahia de San Mar-
tin
Una Gran Ensenada
El Puerto de la Mag-
da'ena
La Punta de Santa
Catalina
El Puerto de Santiago
Habre Ojo
Latitude by
Cabrillo and
Ferrelo.
C. F..
20%°, C
24° "and
more," C. .
Do.
Do.
CF.
25", ....F.
25°. C. F.
25%°, F.
F.
26°, F..
2T
C. F.
Punta y Puerto de
Santa Ana
Una Isleta obra de una
legua de Tierra ....
27^°
'27^
28^,
28°,
F..
F..
F..
F .
Names by Ulloa, Drake or
Vizcaino.
El Puerto de la Navi-
dad. V.
El Cabo de Corrientes.
V.
La Bahia de Santa
Cruz. U.
La Babia de San Ben-
arbe. V.
La Bahia de San
Abad. U.; La Bahia
de Santa Marina. V.
El Puerto de la Mag-
dalena. V.
La Bahia de Santa
Marta.V.
La Bahia de las Bal-
lenas. V
Abreojos, V.'s chart
La Isla de San Roque.
U.V.
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS.
327
THEIR NAMES BY ULLOA. (U), DRIKE, (D), AND VIZCAINO, (V),
NAMES AND LATITUDES.
No.
Present Name of the
Place.
Latitude,
0 /
Correction to
C, F. or D.
Remarks.
1
Port Navidad
19
20
23
23
22
24
24
24
24
24
13
25
23
23
52
20
17
17
32
44
o
Cape Corrientes . .
—05' (a)
—37',
more"
-37', ;
more"
"and
C.
' and
C.
(a) It is more than prob-
able that Cabiillo assum-
ed the latitude as given
by previous navigators.
4
5
Anchorage under Cape
Pulmo
San Lucas Bay
Cabrillo did not observe the
6
Santa Marina Bay
Cape Tosco
-40'
-43' C.
F..
F..
latitude. "They say it is
in latitude 23^"F.
The S. E. point of Santa
Marga'ita Island.
The island is 22 miles long.
8
Santa Margarita
laud . . .
Is-
-58'
F..
9
Magdalena Bay. .
10
Santa Maria Bay..
11
There is no gulf; but the
12
Pequena Bay
Point
and
26
26
26
26
27
27
14
19
45
46
07
09
—46' C
F..
lowland north of Cape
Lazaro slightly recedes,
and would mislead a nav-
igator in a small vessel
in the offing.
Feirelo says: "It is 40
leagues from the Bay of
San Martin to this coast."
1.S
San Domingo Point
and Anchorage
Ballenas Bay
14
^-45'
—44'
—53'
--51'
F..
F..
F..
15
Abreojos Rocks. .
A dangerous reef of visible
and sunken rocks.
16
Asuncion Point
Anchorage . , .
and
17
Island of San Roque .
Ulloa saw the two islands,
Asuncion and San
Roque.
328
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE LA.NDFALLS OF CABRILLO, (C), AND FERRELO, (F), WITH
A.ND THE PRESENT NAMES
Dates,
1542, 1543.
July 27, 1542
July 31, 1542
Aug. 1 "
Aug. 2, 15 J 2
23
24
2
26
2
28 •' 20
Mar, 21,
29 Aug.
" 5
Mar. 28,
Aug 11,
" 14,
" 19
" 20
1543
1542
1542
Sept. 4,
" 8
" 11
" 11
" 11
" 17
Mar, 18,
1543
1542
1542
Name of place by Latitude by
I Cabrillo and
Cabrillo and Ferrelo Ferrelo.
El Puerto Fondo.
[Anchorage]
El Puerto de San Ped-
ro Viucula
La Isla de San Este-
ban
Una Ensenada Grande
La Isla de Zedros . . . .
El Puerto de Santa
Clara
La Punta del Mai Ab
rigo
La Isl I de San Bernar
do
El Cabo del Engauo..
.. F..
28i° "and
more," F. .
F..
29=, F..
30' "scanf'F
30|°, F . .
La Punta del Engauo.
El Puerto de la Poses-
i'ln
La Isla de San Augus-
tin
31°,
31°,
31%°,
1543
[Anchorage, 7 leagues
from Sa 1 Augustiu.]
El Cabo de S m Mar-
tin
El Cabo de la Cruz —
El C'ibo de Cruz.
Una Isleta
El Puerto de San Ma-
teo
F..
C.
F..
F..
F..
F.
32%°, F.
33°, C .
33°, F .
Names by Ulloa, Drake
or Vizcaino.
El Puerto de San Bar-
tolome.V.
L;i Isla de Natividad
de Nuestra Seuora.
V.
La Isla de los Cedros.
U ; La Isla de Cei-
ros. Y.
La Bahia de San Hi-
polito. Y
La Isla de San Ger-
onymo. Y .
El Cabo del Engaiio,
30^, U.
Do.
La Bahia de las Yir-
gines. Y.
La Isla de Cenigas. Y.
La Isla de San Hil-
ario. Y.
La Eusenarla de To-
dos Santos. Y.
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS.
329
THEIR NAMES BY ULLOA, (U), DRAKE. (D), AND VIZCAINO, (V),
AND LlTITUDES.-CoKTixuED.
22
Present Name of the [Latitude, Correction to
Place. " ' C, F. or D.
Table-Head Cove, or
San Pablo Bay
Baj' of ISan Cristoval
Port tan Bartolome..
Natividad Island ....
Sebastian
Bay . . .
Vizcaino
Cerros Islaud
La Playa Maria Bay ,
Point Canoas
Sau Gerdnimo Island
Point Baja
Point Baja
Port San Quentin. . .
San Martin Island . .
27 11
San Ramon Bay
Point Santo Tomas,
or Cape San Tomas.
Grajero Point, or Ban-
da Point
Do
The Todos Santos Is'
lands ,
The Eusenada in To
dos Santos Bay ....
27 39
27 53
27 45
to
28 35
28 02
28 55
29 25
29 48
29 56
29 56
30 24
30 29
30 49
31 33
31 45
31 45
31 48
31 51
5J' "and
more" F
58'
F.
-65' "scant'
F
■65' F
42' F
64' C
-64' F
-66' F.
Remarks.
The Afegua, or Bird Island
ot Father Taraval, 1734.
This is the Gulf of San
Xavier, of Father Tara-
val. It is 50 by 60 miles
in extent.
They anchored inider the
south shore. This is the
Amalgua,or Fog island of
Father Taraval, 1734.
They anchored here.
-57'
—75'
—75'
F..
C.
F..
F.
The anchorage under the
cape
Distance from Cape San
Martin, 4 leagues.
Anchorage in the north-
east part of Todos Santos
Bay.
330
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE LANDFALLS OF CABKILLO, (C), AND FEKKELO, (F), WITH
AND THE PRESENT NAMES
No.
36
Dates,
1542. 1543.
Sep. 26,27,
1542
Sep. 28, 1542
Mar. 11, 1543
Oct. 7, 1542
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Mar.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
7, 1542
8, 1542
9, 1542
10, 1542
8, 1543
13, 1542
14, 1542
15, 1542
16, 1542
17, 1542
2-6, "
Name of place by Cabrillo
and Ferrelo.
Las Islas Desiertas. . .
El Puerto de San Mig-
uel
Feb.
1543.
12-14,
Nov.
1542
La Isla de San Salva-
dor
La Isla de la Vittoria..
La Bahia de las Fu-
mos
La Bahia de los Fue-
gos
[Anchorage]
Latitude by
Cabrillo and
Ferrelo.
34^
34%'
.35°,
Los Pueblos de Lis
Cauoas ,
El Pueblo de las Can
oas
[Anchorage]
[Anchorage]
[Anchorage]
[Anchorage],
[Anchorage].
El Pueblo de las Sar-
dinas
Los Pueblos de las
Sardinas
El Puerto de las Sar-
dinas
35%",
35%°,
35% •
El Puerto de Todos
Santos
Oct. 18, 1542
El Pueblo de Xexo...
El Cabo de la Galera.
El Cabo de Galera . . ,
.F.
F.
F.
F.
C.
F.
F.
F
F.
F.
F.
C.
F
F.
F.
Names by Ulloa, Drake or
Vizcaino.
Las Islas de los Cor-
onados. V; Las Islas
de San Martin, V.'s
chart .
El Puerto de San
Diego v.; El Puerto
Bueno de San Di-
ego, V.'s chart.
La Isla de Santa
Cathalina. V.
3G%°, C..
36^ "and
more." F..
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS.
331
THEIR NAMES BY ULLOA, (U), DRAKE, (D), AND VIZCAINO, (Y),
AND LATITUDES —Continued.
No.
35
36
Present Name of the
Place.
Los Coronados Islands
San Diego Bay.
Santa Catalina Island
San Clemente Island
Santa Monica Bay
Do
The Anchorage off La
guua Mngu
San Buenaventura .. . .
Do.
the
the
Anchorage off
Rincon"
Anchorage off
Carpinteria"
Anchorage 4 or 5 miles
■^est of Goleta Point
Anchorage oft' the Can-
ada del Refugio
Anchorage off Gaviota
Pass
The Indian Villages at
Gaviota Pass
Do
Anchorage off Gaviota
Pass
Anchorage off El Coxo
Indian Village at El
Coxo
Point Concepcion, or
Point Conception .
Latitude,
°
'
32
25
32
40
33
27
32
34
49
00
34
05
34
17
34
17
34
22
34
24
34
25
34
27
34
27
34
28
34
27
34
28
34
29
34
34
27
27
Correction to
C, F. or D.
-95'
-100'
60'
-63'
-63'
f3'
C.
F.
F ..
-123' C...
-93' " and
more" F. .
Remarks.
He has one of the largest
errors in the best-known
port.
At the great depression
across the island.
A few miles east of San.t?
Barbara.
Ferrelo says the Indian
name was Cicacnt.
There are two Coxo's. The
Coxo Viejo is one mile
east of the usual anchor-
age El Coxo.
La Punta de la Concepcion
of recent Spanish naviga-
tors.
;32
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE LANDFALLS 07 CABRILLO, (C), AND FEKRELO, (F), WITH
AND THE PEESENT NAMES
No
51
62
Dates,
1542, 1543.
Oct. 14, 1542,
18
25
Dec,
Dec,
1542
1542
JfiiK 3, 1513
Mar. 5, "
Oct. 25, 154:
Mar. 5, 1543
Jan. 29, 1543
Mar. 5, 1513
Jau. ]9, 1543
leb. 14, '•
Nov. 11, 1542
Name of place by Cabrillo
and Ferrelo.
La Isla de Sau Lucas.
Las Islas de Sau Lucas
La Isla de la Posesiou
La Isla de Posesiou. .
Una de las Isl s de
San Lucas ....
La Isla de Juan Eod-
riguez
El Puerto de la Puses
ion.
[Dangers J
La Isla de Sau Lucas.
La Isla de San Sebas-
tian
La Isla de San Salva-
dor
LatiUide by
Cabilllo and
Ferrelo.
C. F,
C. F..
.. F..
. C.
C.F..
El Eio de Nuestra
Seiiora
Nov. 11, 1542 Las Sierras de Sau
Martin
F.'s consort.
F.
F.'s consort
F..
C.
Names by Ulloa, Drake or
Vizcaino.
La Isla de Baxos. V.
La Isla de Cleto. V.
La Isla de San Am-
brosio.V.
La Sierra de Santa Lu-
cia. V.
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS.
333
THEIE NAMES BY ULLOA, (U), DRAKE, (D), AND VIZCAINO, (Vj,
AND LATITUDES.— Continued.
Present Name of the
Latitude,
Correction to
No.
Pie marks.
Place.
o 1
C.,F. or D.
51
The three Islands,
They overlap each other,
and were seen as one
Santa Cniz, Santa
Eosa and San Mig-
great island.
uel
f52
San Miguel, and then
One large— Santa Cruz and
Santa Rosa overlapping —
Santa Cruz and San-
ta Rosa as one
and one small, which was
San Miguel.
53
San Miguel Island. . .
Do
Do.
;34 03
Ferrelo says the Indian
name was Ciquimuymu,
54
55
Do.
So named by Ferrelo to
commemorate Cabrillo's
death on the Island.
56
Cuylers Harbor.
34 03
Cabrillo and Ferrelo win-
tered here in 1542-43; it
is on the north shore of
San Miguel island.
57
Wilson Rock, &c
34 06^
The rocks and reefs off the
northwest shores of San
Miguel island.
58
Santa Eosa Island . .
33 57
Ferrelo saj^s the Indian
name was Nicalque.
59
Do
60
Santa Cruz Inland . . .
34 02
Ferrelo says the Indian
name of the inland was
Liniun.
61
La Purisima, or Santa
34 42
Cabrillo and Ferrelo did
Ynez River
not see it. They learned
of its existence north of
Pt. Concepcion. from
Indian information, when
in the Santa Barbara
channel.
61
Sierra Santa Lucia. .. .
36 03
—87' C. F..
TTiis mountain range is 50
miles long, and overhangs
the coast line. The cul-
minating point is Mt.
Snnta Lucia, 6,000 feet
elevation and 12 miles in-
side the shore.
23— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II.
Issued January 11, 1887.
334
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE LANDFALLS OF CABRILLO, (C), AND FERKELO. (F), WITH
AND THE PRESENT NAMES
No.
63
64
65
66
6-5
Dates,
1542, 15i3.
Name of place by
Cabrillo and Ferrelo.
Nov. 11, 1542 El Ciibo de San Mar
till
Nov. 11, 18, El Cabo de San Mar
1542 tin
Nov. 18, 1542
69
Nov. 16, 1542
Nov. 14. 154-
Feb. 25, 1543
Mar. 3. 1543
Feb. 26, 1543
El Cabo de Nieve,
(de las Sierras Nevad-
as )
La Baia de Finos
La Bahia de los Pinos
El Cabo de Pinos . .
El Cabo de Pinos....
El Cabo de Fortunas.
Latitude by
Cabrillo and
Ferrelo.
38^ ....F.
37%°, F ..
28;^°, C F.
Names by Ulloa, Drake
or Vizcaino.
La Punta de Pinos.
V.
39=
more," F. .
40° "and
more." C
C. . 'Portus Novae Albionis
38^D.
El Puerto de San
Francisco. V.
nd
EARLY CALIFORNIA LANDFALLS.
335
THEIR NAMES BY ULLOA, (U), DRA.KE. (D), AND VIZCAINO, (V)
AND LATITUDES.— Concluded.
Present Name of the
Latitude.
Correction to
No
Remarks.
Place.
'
C, F. or D.
Cy^
56
.36
32
03
—88' F
—87' F
P>\
The Twin Peaks
The height is 5,100 feet,
and the distance 33^2
miles inland.
65
Black Mountain
37
09
—91' F
The mountain mass 13
miles behind Point Auo
Nuevo.
Cfi
The Siinta Ctuz
Embracing Black Mount-
mountains
ains.
67
Anchorage in Drake's
38
00
—00' D. . .
The northern part of the
Bay
38
00
—60' "and
Gulf of the Farallones.
Drake's Bay, or the
"A great gnlf, " Crtbrillo.
Gulf of the Faral-
more," F. .
(Una Ensenada Grande.)
lones
68
The Northwest Cape,
38
31
—89' "and
more" C. . .
The mountain mass just
east of Fort Ross anchor-
age, and reaching 2,200
feet elevation.
Do.
38
31
—89' F
69
King Peak, behind
PuntaDelgada
40
00
-60' C .
The mountain mass north-
ward of Shelter Cove,
with King Peak, only 10
miles inland and 4,235
feet elevation, as the cul-
minating point.
BULLETIN
CALIFORNIA
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES,
Vol % 'No. 7.
JXJNK, 1887.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Ocean Currents Contiguous to the Coast of California. C. M. Kichter. . .337
The Pacific Coast Alders. C. C. Parry 351
West Coast Pulmonata; Fossil and Living. J. G. Cooper 355
Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent. VI. Edward
Lee Greene 377
Ornithological Observations in San Diego County. W. Otto Emerson. . .419
Desmids of the Pacific Coast. Francis Wolle 432
Fungi of the Pacific Coast. V. H. W.^Harkness .437
Occultations of Stars by the Dark Limb of the Moon. Geo. Davidson. . .448
ISSUED JUNE IB, 1BB7,
BULLETIN. Kiis^t^-'
Xo. 7.
California Academy of Sciences,
OCEAN CURRENTS CONTIGUOUS TO THE COAST OF
CALIFORNIA.
BY DE. C. 31. EICHTER.
Read February 7. 1887.
The question, not as to the existence, but as to the character
of the ocean currents contiguous to the coast of California,
is still an open one. Some of the most recently published
maps show that a cold current of great width washes our
shores, and others again indicate that it is the deflected
warm Japanese current which is passing; this countr}^ in its
southward movement. A third opinion gives the surface
waters to the Kuro Siwo, and identifies the sub-stream with
the Polar current.
The practical seaman is satisfied by the knowledge of the
fact, that the direction of the waters along the coast — with
the exception of those nearest the coast — is generally south-
ward and northward only during the winter storms. Adja-
cent to the coast — at a distance of from three to ten miles
from it — an eddy current i§ observed with a northerly
direction.
It is obvious that it would be of great value to science
to gain positive facts concerning these questions, and
especially so in i^egard to the science of meteorology; for
the peculiarity of the climate of California must be de-
24— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued May 5, 1887.
338 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pendent to a great extent upon the influences of these ocean
currents.
We wish to know the width of the eddy current, the tem-
perature of its water, its origin and extent. We wish to
know the width of the gigantic southward movement of
waters, its velocity and its temperature; whether there is a
distinct cold stream and a distinct warm stream, and their
relation to each other, etc., etc.
To decide the direction and velocity of an ocean current,
various instruments have been invented, and are still in use,
which show as much ingenuity in their construction as they
lack in positive demonstration. This disappointment is
clearly illustrated by the findings on Maury's charts, and
the map affixed to the ''Deep-Sea Soundings in the North
Pacific Ocean obtained on the U. S. Steamer Tascarora,
Commander G. E. Belknap."
We find on Chart I"^ of this essay, that there is a general
southerly direction of the surface currents, even next to the
coast north of San Francisco. The under-surface currents
show no regularity whatever in theii direction, and looking
at this chart one is led to believe that the direction of the
arrows is given for the purpose of proving the existence of
a whirlpool in the ocean near the coast of California. See
Chart I.
Undoubtedly many records as to the direction of ocean
currents have been made here by vessels, only to explain
apparent errors in their nautical observations as to the
course of the ship.
The only fact which emanates from these observa-
tions is, that a surface current of a southerly direction
drives the waters down the coast, and that by strong winds
from the south, during the winter storms, its direction may
be temporarily reversed.
♦Compiled from Maury's and Belknap's charts.
OCEAN CURRENTS. 339
The velocity of this surface current is marked variously
as from 0.37 to 1.0 nautical miles per hour.
It is clear that this evidence cannot give satisfaction to
science.
But fortunately we have an instrument from which we can
obtain the desired information, namely, the thermometer.
The sea thermometer is the most sensitive instrument known
with which to prove the existence of ocean currents, as well
as to determine their extent.
We have historical proof of an ocean current in the
landing of Cermenon, one of the discoverers of California,
who was driven to her shore by the great circuit route of
the Kuro Siwo. We have many wrecks of Japanese junks
along the western coast of North America to bear testimo-
ny to its existence. We have also the records given by mod-
ern current indicators, which denote a great southerly drift,
and still we lack the positive proof whether this current is
of Arctic origin, or coming from the shores of Japan, until
we have measured the temperature of its waters on the sur-
face and in its depths.
The great Gulf Stream, its origin, its direction, and its
extent, has been definitely outlined by measuring the tem-
perature of its waters.
The questions we wish to solve in regard to the Cali-
fornia current must necessarily be also answered by the
record of its temperature. The material from which to
obtain these records is still very meager.
We find it on Belknap's Deep-Sea Soundings, on Maury's
charts, and in the records of steamers and sailing vessels.
Commander Belknap made a- number of trips along the
coast of California in 1873, starting from different points,
and following each time a line more or less perpen-
dicular to the coast. His real object was to find a prac-
tical route for a submarine cable between the United
States and Japan. At the same time serial temperatures
were obtained of the ocean water in different depths. These
340 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
records of temperature are necessarily imperfect, but as
they represent mostly the mean temperatures, taken from
four to live observations on the surface, and from more than
one in great depth, they really are entitled to great consid-
eration, although the apparent smallness of their number
may ]iot seem to warrant it.
Furthermore, the temperatures registered on Maury's
charts coincide remarkably with Belknap's figures.
We know the law of the evenness of the ocean tempera-
ture. In the open sea the temperature of the surface
water shows a daily range of hardly more than one de-
gree of Fahrenheit, and nearest the coast sometimes of two
or three degrees. The yearly variation will amount only
rarely to ten degrees in our latitude. The surface water at
the Golden Gate, for instance, shows between the years of
1874 and 1883 a lowest mean temperature of 50^.49 in Jan-
uary, and a highest mean temperature of 59^.68 in Septem-
ber, according to the "Coast Pilot," by Prof. G. Davidson.
In compiling the temperatures derived from the above-
named sources, we cannot make therefore a great deviation
from truth.
It is proper to mention the fact, that Belknap's tempera-
tures have furnished the foundation for the most recent de-
scriptions of the North Pacific ocean currents. I refer
especially to the work on " Oceanography," by F. Attlmayr,
published under the auspices of the Secretary of the Aus-
trian Navy in 1883. Yet no attempt has been made to adapt
the figures of the Tascarora to the details of the currents
along the coast.
. Therefore it has been my endeavor to utilize every relia-
ble record of temperature from Belknap's Soundings, as well
as from every other trustworthy source, and to determine b}'"
them the facts from which I could illustrate the direction
and the extent of the ocean currents along the coast of
California.
As the figures recorded by Belknap harmonized as afore-
OCEAN CURRENTS. 341
said wonderfully with those of other authors, the task I
had undertaken was very gratifying as to the results.
I must add tliat Belknap's temperatures were taken at the
end of October and the beginning of November, between
Trinidad Head and San Francisco, and end of December
between San Francisco and San Diego. The correction be-
tween the two cannot amount to more than one degree of
Fahrenheit.
The temperatures on all my charts represent for this rea-
son the winter season, and to give the figures for the sum-
mer they must be increased by from five to eight degrees.
The results of my investigation are made clear by Profiles
A-F and Charts II and III. They are as follows :
(1.) The greatest difference in the temperature of the
surface water, between San Diego and Trinidad Head, is
noticeable nearest the shore. The following table will ex-
plain it. See Profiles A-F.
Trinidad Head. San Diego. Difference.
10 miles off shore 48.5° 59.8° 11.3"
50 " " " 50.2 54.4 4.2
100 " " " 54.0 59.9 5.9
220 " " " 54.8 59.6 4.8
(2.) The temperature ind^'eases at the line of Trinidad
Head gradually from 48.5^ 10 miles distant from shore, to
54.8° 220 miles distant from shore, indicating a difference
of 6.3^ between the two, while off San Diego the tempera-
ture remains about the same.
(3.) The ten miles off shore surface temperature of
Trinidad Head finds its equivalent ten miles off San Diego
at a depth of 100 fathoms. Following the comparison —
that of 50 miles off Trinidad Head agrees with the one 200
fathoms deep 50 miles oft' shore, and 220 miles off shore the
Trinidad Head temperature is found 40 fathoms below the
surface on the San Diego line,
(4.) Ten miles off shore the ocean has an average depth
of only one hundred fathoms, with the exception of three
submarine valleys — one between Trinidad Head and Point
342 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Arena, one between Point Carmel and Point Sal, and one
stretching from the Santa Barbara channel towards San
Diego. The bottom of the one hundred fathom plateau
has an average temperature of 45°.
(5.) Fifty miles off shore the average depth of the ocean
is 1000 fathoms. At this distance the existence of a sub-
marine mountainous grade, which is highest in latitude of
Point Carmel, alters the isothermal lines of the ocean. The
same action on the temperature of the water is repeated,
though in a less degree, by another submarine grade tend-
ing southward towards San Diego.
(6.) The result is, that the isothermal line of 40°, com-
mencing at Trinidad Head at a depth of about 350 fathoms,
and which is found to be off San Diego 500 fathoms deep,
sinks off San Francisco to 700 fathoms depth, and. off Point
Sur still deeper. Therefore, off San Francisco and off Point
Sur a greater volume of warm water is found in ^)roportion
than at any other point on the coast.
(7.) For the same reason the isothermal lines between
the two named points are bent upward, indicating thereby
that the direction of the current is generally southward, and
that the cold waters are crowded back and upwards by the
submarine mountain.
(8.) All the isothermal lines, 50 miles off shore, show
generally a constant increase of temperature towards San
Diego; still the isothermal line of 40° is only 100 fathoms
deeper at San Diego than at Trinidad Head.
(9.) One hundred miles off shore the same regularity is
observed. On the line of San Francisco, however, the high
surface temperature of 58.2° is cooled 18° inside of 300
fathoms depth, and off'Point Carmel and Point Sal, a similar
proportion is observed; while off San Diego a depth of 600
fathoms is reached before the temperature is lowered to
this extent.
(10.) Two hundred and twenty miles distant from shore
the evenness of the isothermal lines is remarkable, indica-
OCEAN CURRENTS 343
ting a slow but constant increase mainly of surface tem-
perature towards San Diego, and in conformity with the
general law of temperature of the ocean.
(11.) The isothermal line of 35° is uniformly found at
the depth of 1,000 fathoms from 50 to 220 miles off shore.
(12.) The lowest temperature of the water, 32.9°, is
found 220 miles off Trinidad Head at a depth of 1,800
fathoms. At the same distance from San Diego a tempera-
ture of 33.8° is found 2,260 fathoms deep.
(13.) Off San Diego the temperature of the surface water
is highest nearest the shore, while the reverse is true off
Trinidad Head.
(14.) The analyzation of all the surface temperatures
proves the existence of a cold w^ater current, about 150 miles
wide, on the northern boundary line of California, passing
southward Nearest the coast line, which is reduced in width
constantly Ciaring its course, until it reaches Point Concep-
tion, where it is partly deflected to the southwest and partly
buried by warmer surface waters. Its temperature is from
45° to .50° in winter time nearest the coast, before Point
Arena is reached, and from 50° to 55° further off the coast
and until it is submerged north and northwest of the Santa
Barbara channel. See Chart II.
(15.) To the west and south of this cold current appears
a great body of warmer water, having a temperature of
from 55° to 60° in winter time. Its direction seems south-
erly in the north of California, and is doubtful in the region
of Southern California.
(16.) The temperatures of the water 10 fathoms below
the surface, generalized on Chart III, demonstrate the accu-
racy of the foregoing conclusions. For a cold current
which comes to an end near the southern part of California
must necessarily lose its width by submerging, and we find
on Chart III indeed a constant widening of this cold current,
and may prove by it again the characterof its deflection.
See Chart III.
344 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Having established the existence of these currents by
reference to the temperature of the ocean in its different
depths^, as found principally by Commander Belknap, the
next question arises whether my deductions are in accord-
:£ince with the balance of observations made by him and
other scientists in regard to the temperature of the waters
adjoining the California currents.
It is an interesting fact, that midway between Ounimak
Pass (Aleutian Group) and Cape Flattery, the temperature
at the bottom of the sea, 2,000 fathoms deep, is 2^ higher
than we noted it for the line of Trinidad Head. In Lat.
54^21' N.,Long. 155"- 07' W., it was 34. P at a depth of
2,850 fathoms, and the same at a depth of 1,500 fathoms.
Then, again, on a line between San Diego and Honolulu,
and especially near the latter place, the bottom temperature
of the ocean is from 33.2" to 33.5-^ at a depth of 2,800
fathoms and more; therefore lower than near the Behring
Sea. To interpret this fact I quote a notice by Commander
Belknap, accompanying his Profile C. "Between Cast A
(towards Yokohama) and Cast B (towards Tanaga Island of
the Aleutian Group), there appears to exist a stratum of
cold water of about 35^ at an average depth of 34 fathoms
below the surface, and becoming deeper as it proceeds
westward."
Belknap's charts show the isothermal line of 40^ between
Yokohama and Ounimak Pass, to be nowhere below 100
fathoms from the surface, the entire length of the Profile,
excepting nearest Japan. This would indicate that the
Kuro Siwo drift cannot extend to the latitude which is
marked for it on the latest maps, the Austrian Navy map
ncluded.
It is apparent from Belknap's observations, that the
northern or Arctic currents are powerful enough to alter the
direction of the Japanese current materially. They sweep
against the warm waters, as the Polar waters meet the Gulf
Stream on the north of Scotland. The Arctic waters ]3re-
OCEAN CURRENTS. 345
dominate on tlie surface by superior force until the Kuro
Siwo gives a stronger wall, which causes the cold current to
pass underneath in the direction of the equator.
One or more branches of the Arctic current perhaps
pushes eastward towards North America, and we find one
such branch marked on the Austrian map as passing down
nearest the coast and disappearing at 40° Lat. Our map
indicates that this cold current is continued to Point Con-
ception.
The bulk of the Kuro Siwo trends eastward, but perhaps
nowhere washes the shores of the United States, being sep-
arated from them by the narrow cold stream, and yet being-
near enough to exercise a powerful influence on her climate.
Thereby it is also explained why 200 miles from Honolulu
the isothermal line of 40^ is at the same depth as we found
it off Trinidad Head, and even at a greater dejDth near San
Diego, where the warm waters are no longer affected by a
cold current.
Therefore, if we can establish a harmony of our conclu-
sions with the balance of the observations in regard to the
northern drifts, we are faced by difiiculties in attempting to
explain the state of affairs on the line off San Diego. After
the cold stream is submei'ged off Point Conception, we are
confronted with a body of warm water which can hardly owe
its temperature to the influence of the Kuro Siwo.
How could the cold current be deflected southwestward,
if a potent warm stream from the north were pushing
against it? How could we account for the great j^revalence
of seaweeds off' the shore of Southern California, if a strong-
drift were working on these waters?
How could tropical and subtropical fish be found on
the adjoining- coast, if the Kuro Siwo really had superseded
the cold current ? Is there not a warm current flowing
northward?
To decide this question beyond doubt we need a careful
346 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
examination of tlie ocean temperature off the coast of Lower
California, and regret to say that reports are wanting.
We are not less ignorant of the ocean temperature next
to the coast of California within the sphere of the so-called
edd}^ current. Of course we have regular observations of
the ocean water next to San Francisco, and perhaps to San-
ta Cruz, Monterey., Santa Monica and San Diego. But they
will never determine the width and the character of the eddy
current, the existence of which and the northerly direction
of which is vouched for by Prof. G. Davidson in his "Coast
Pilot" (Manuscript, 4tli edition).
Undoubtedly such a current exists, at least to some extent,
along our coast, for our coast vessels sailing northward
know how to profit by it in keeping close to the shore. We
have seen the muddy water of the Sacramento river driven
northward as a distinct stream for many miles. We have
heard of a part of a wreck, located near the Cliff House,
being found not many days after the accident near Eureka,
Cal. But still we are doubtful as to its existence, as to its
extent, and as to the persistence of its direction.
As we are void of scientific proofs to corroborate any as-
sertions in regard to this matter, we have to recur to theory,
and fortunately meet with the very plausible one of K.
Zoeppritz on ocean currents. He shows by exact physical
analysis how superficial impulses will work on liquid masses,
and will be extended by the friction of the strata of the
liquid against each other downward. He elucidates by his
researches that the motion of the principal body of a liquid
mass, which is subject to a periodically changing surface
power, is determined by the average velocity of the surface,
and that the periodical changes penetrate only a thin surface
stratum.
Thereby the winds are reinstated as powerful motors of
the ocean surface water. They communicate their average
direction to the lower masses of the water as well as to the
surface water, and Zoeppritz has calculated, for instance.
OCEAN CURRENTS.
l5^a
that a body of water with a depth of 2,000 fathoms, and of
infinite extension, would have adopted in 200,000 years the
same motion in a horizontal direction as the surface water,
provided that a constant motion of the surface water in this
direction had been in force.
Before we apply this theory to the currents, which were
established by my conclusions, I Avish to refer to another
essay of Zoeppritz on the configuration of the coast and the
formation of the bottom of the ocean as factors, by which
the direction of an ocean current is mainly influenced.
I will try to explain his view on this subject by the fol-
lowing diagram taken from his publication :
If a straight coast line
a 6 be touched by two cur-
rents s and s\ which have
the same velocity and the
same width, then those
parts of them which are
deflected inward, will form
a new current Gs between
the two former ones, and
give it the opposite direc-
tion.
'5 It is clear that if a cur-
rent strikes such a coast
line in an oblique direc-
tion, as we find it on our
coast according to my maps,
a deflection of this liquid
"* "^ mass will follow princi-
pally in one direction, the one opposite to the original direc-
tion of the current.
If we admit that the general direction of the cold and the
warm current along the coast of California is southeasterly,
then the force and direction of this large body of water
will cause an eddy current running northward.
I
I
I
Q5
5 '
348
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Taking into consideration the formation of the coast,
which, as I mentioned before, forms a plateau stretching
out into the ocean to a distance of about ten miles from the
coast, and thereby creates a shallow strip of water with a
depth of about 100 fathoms, while it then glides rapidly
into a depth of nearly 2,000 fathoms, it is apparent that
this marginal plateau will be the scene of this eddy current.
It now remains to prove that the average direction of the
wind along the coast of California, as well as northwest of
our coast, is in harmony with the direction of the currents,
as indicated on my charts.
H. Mohn's charts, as well as Attlmayr's, concur with
Maury's in giving to the winds which blow over the area of
the Kuro Siwo, an average direction corresponding to its
course, as we adopted it. They all vary in regard to the
direction of the wind next to the western coast of the
United States. We have to recur therefore to the observa-
tions made at coast stations of the Signal Service, United
States Army. Undoubtedly we can judge from these re-
ports with some accuracy the prevailing character of the
wind for the 50 or 100 miles of ocean surface adjacent to the
stations.
The following table, derived from Appendix 51 of the An-
nual Eeport of the Chief Signal Officer for the year 1885,
gives the desired information. It is computed from the com-
mencement of observations at each station to and including
December, 1884:
Stations.
Tatoosh Island, Wash
Canby, Fort Wash
Cape Mendocino, Cal
San Francisco, Cal.. .
Los Angeles, Cal
San Diego, Cal
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
E
E
E
E
SW
W
SW
s w
S W
E
E
E
E
N
W
W
W
W
w
w
s
s
s
NW
NW
SE
NW
NW
NW
NW
N
N
N
S E
N
W
W
W
W
S W
s W
s w
SW
S W
NW
NE
NE
w
W
w
W
w
w
w
w
N E
NE
NW
w
W
w
w
w
w
NW
NW
NW
Dec
E
SE
NW
N
NE
NE
OCEAN CURRENTS. 349
The western coast of the United States tends northeast-
ward from Cape Mendocino towards Tatoosli Island, and
southeastward from Cape Mendocino towards San Diego.
Therefore a current with a direction down the coast will
depend on easterly winds near Tatoosh Island. These
winds will become northwesterly only when it has reached
Cape Mendocino, and they will become more and more
westerly in the direction of San Diego. This is exactly
what tlie table demonstrates.
We may infer besides, that as the direction of the Kuro
Siwo, and the wind above its area, is westerly between Lat.
40^ and 50,^ its waters will have a general direction towards
Cape Mendocino, and that the current which follows the
easterly winds off Tatoosh Island cannot be a part of th^
Japanese, but of an Arctic current. This brings again
the currents as represented on my charts in harmony witli
the observations at the Signal Service stations, and with the
theory of Zoeppritz.
It is hardly necessary for me to emphasize the importance
which my deductions; if correct, bear upon the climatology
of our State.
The mountain barriers of our State which shield us from
influences by land, and the evenness of the temperature of
the neighboring ocean, guarantee the uniformity of our
climate.
A glance at the accompanying charts exhibits the reason
why the northern part of California has more fog in sum-
mer, and probably more rain in winter; it explains the reason
why the temperature of San Francisco cannot sink as low as
that of Monterey; it reveals the causes of the subtropical
climate of Southern California.
We get from these profiles arguments for a parallelism
between the isothermal lines, and perhaps the isobares of
California, with the corresponding lines of the neighboring
ocean. In short, they teach us graphically the importance
350 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
of the ocean currents as factors in determining the climate
of our State.
Furthermore, they prove the advisability of our Govern-
ment, through its branch the Signal Service, continuing
this research. The isothermal lines of the ocean for differ-
ent months at different distances from shore and along the
-entirewest coast of the United States, should be established
beyond doubt. They will form the constant factor for the
calculations of our meteorologists. They will probably
explain the formation of our barometric maxima and
minima, and will enable us to make weather predictions
with more accuracy than it is possible to do without them.
THE PACIFIC COAST ALDERS. 351
THE PACIFIC COAST ALDERS.
BY C. C. PARRY.
Read March 7, 188r.
The alders, everywhere easily recognized as a natural
group of shrubs or trees, usually bordering water-courses,
present certain well-defined botanical characters comprised
in the old established genus Alniis.
Widely scattered over different portions of the globe, the
species, variously estimated at fourteen or fifteen, are not
so numerous as to present serious difficulties in systematic
arrangement. As one would naturally expect, the species
most remote in geographical position present the most
marked specific differences, as is manifest in the Asiatic-
India group, as compared with those of Europe or North
America. At the same time, several of the high northern spe-
cies have a wide geographical range, in some cases apparently
encircling the globe; and one, at least, Alnus maritimay
Nutt., falls into that singular group connecting the botany
of Eastern North America with Japan.
On this coast the Botany of California enumerates four
species; one of these, confined to the higher mountain dis-
tricts, is recognized as a variety of the common Eastern
United States species, Alnits incaiia, var. viridtscens, Wat-
son.
Another well marked species, A. rubra, Bong., seems
peculiar to the North American Pacific coast, ranging from
Alaska to Central California, and apparently confined to
the coast districts. Some fine specimens of this latter can
be seen along the course of deep ravines in the vicinity of
Berkeley.
Of the two other recorded species to be considered, viz:
Alnus rliomhifoUa, Nutt., and A. ohlongifolia, Torr., which,
352 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
under favorable conditions of growth, present the largest
trees known in this group, frequently attaining a height of
eighty feet, with a smooth columnar trunk three feet in
diameter at base — observations during the present season
have brought to view such peculiar and hitherto unnoticed
botanical characters as to justify their presentation before
a meeting of the California A.cademy of Sciences.
It must be premised that Nuttall's original description
of Alnus rlioinhi'/oUa, contained in Am. Sylva., Vol. II.,
p. 49, was taken from a leaf branch without flower or
fruit, collected by Nuttall himself in the vicinity of Monte-
rey, probably in April, 1836. Since then the name has
been generally, and no doubt properly, applied to the com-
mon California alder, of the western and interior districts,
extending from Oregon to Southern California. As such, it
is included by Watson in Bot. Cal. II. p. 80.
Probably about twelve or fifteen years later than Nuttall's
description above referred to. Dr. Torrey, in the Botany of
the Mexican Boundarj^ Survey, p. 201, described Alnus
ohlongifolia from specimens collected by C. Wright in New
Mexico, the specific character being mainly based on the
foliage; subsequently Mr. Watson identifying Dr. Torrey's
species with the Southern California Alnus, included A.
oblo}ig{/olia,Ton\, in Bot. Cal. p. 81. In making a critical
comparison of the description of these two species as
given therein it is noticeable that the points of differ-
ence are very slight, and might easily be comprised within
the limits of ordinary variation.
An equal difficulty has been experienced by field observ-
ers, and from a somewhat extended observation for several
years, I have never yet been able to draw a clear line of
distinction between these two species as laid down in
botanical works. Accordingly, in order to satisfy myself
on this doubtful point, I have undertaken the present sea-
son to make a series of observations, including the earliest
growth and flowering, some of the results of which thus
far reached, may be briefly noted.
THE PACIFIC COAST ALDERS. 35 B
First, then, in reference to the species under considera-
tion, the most striking fact is the unusually early period of
flowering, equally true of the most southern and northern
plants. Thus no sooner do the leaves of the previous sea-
son, having fulfilled their office of nourishing the forming
buds, begin to fade and loosen their attachment — though
often retaining their hold until early winter — than the flow-
ering spikes both staminate and pistillate begin to swell,
and by early January the male catkins are fully developed,
and the stigmas protuberant. In spite of occasional sharp
frosts the process of fertilization proceeds, and by February
1st, at least as far north as the lower Sacramento valley, is
mainly completed; the swollen winter streams over which
they lean, as well as the adjoining banks, being copiously
strewn with the effete male tassels resembling torpid cater-
pillars.
During all this active vital process, the leaf buds remain
dormant, mostly retaining their deciduous scales. Thus,
during the month of February, the trees display their smooth
naked branches, barely relieved by the matured seed cones
of the previous season, which, with the winter rains, relax
their scales to discharge their wingless seeds; a remarkable
contrast to the more exclusively coast species, A. rubra
which at the present time, March 1st, is only just loosening
its male catkins in connexion with the rapidly swelling leaf
buds.
Still farther, a close examination of the male catkins thus
early developed, shows a floral character hitherto unnoticed,
applying equally to the northern and southern forms,
which will require an extension of the generic char-
acter of Alnus as laid down in systematic botanical
works. Thus in the latest authority, Benth. & Hook., Gen.
PI. Ill, p. 404, the staminate flowers are described
as with "four stamens and very short filaments.'*
Now in the species under consideration, while in
other respects agreeing closely with the ordinary characters
25— Bull. Gal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued ilay 5, 1887
354 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
of the genus, the four somewhat unequal perianth seg-
ments enclose quite constantly but a pair of opposite sta-
mens, not infrequently increased to three in the larger
perianths, and more rarely reduced to a single one, and in-
stead of very short filaments, they are at maturity exsert
beyond the perianth.
This character is so obvious on the most casual observa-
tion, that the only explanation of its having been heretofore
overlooked must be the fact that in the specimens from
^hich the descriptions were drawn, the male flowers were
either wanting or not examined.
As the character thus noted serves to give a unique feature
to all the various forms of Alniis heretofore includ-
ed under these two described species, and is eas-
ily recognized in all the specimens accessible to
me, including an undeveloped one in the Califor-
nia Academy herbarium, collected by Prof. Greene
in New Mexico, I am led to the conclusion that all these
western forms, varying only in unimportant leaf characters,
must be reduced to the earliest described specie?:, Alniis
rhomhifoUa, Nutt. ; A. ohlongifolia, Torr., representing the
jnost southern and eastern variety.
Another fact in this connection, coming quite accidentally
Tinder my observation — more of morphological than sys-
tematic botanical interest — is a singular abnormal condi-
tion in which some of the lower staminate aments show a
transformation at the summit to regular pistillate flowers.
While to ordinary view such a transformation of floral or-
gans, involving absolute sterilit}^ and accomplishing no
apparent useful purpose in the vegetable economy, may be
poetically regarded as a " freak of nature." It is neverthe-
less true that by just such abnormal deviations from ordi-
nary processes, nature often gives us the clearest insight
into her regular plan of operations, though it may need the
genius of a Goethe to interpret their real significance.
The whole subject suggests the value and importance of
supplementing or correcting systematic descriptions by
careful and intelligent field observations.
WEST COAST PLTLMONATA. 355
WEST COAST PULMONATA; FOSSIL AND LIVING.
BY J. G. COOPER, M. D.
Read March 21, 1 887.
A. — Extinct Species.
Since the publication of the article in Bulletin No. 4,
p. 235, several additional facts have been made known which
much increase our knowledge both of fossil and living
species.
The most ancient known fossils of non-marine mollusca
in North xlmerica were those of the carboniferous strata of
Nova Scotia, and were of terrestrial forms. Some late dis-
coveries by the U. S. Geol. Survey "from the base of the
carboniferous of Nevada," give two fresh-water species, and
one of an amphibious or brackish-water type, allied to our
Alexia. (See "Science," II, p. 806, 1883, and Bulletin U. S.
Geol. Survey, No. 18, 1885.) These species show both a
wonderful similarity to living species, and an unexpected
variety of genera existing in what is so far the oldest land
fauna known.
In the last-named Bulletin, Dr. White also figures an
extinct Unio and an extinct "Helix" (H. dalli Stearns, re-
ferred doubtfully to Mesodon) found in the John Day lacus-
trine basin of Oregon, together with three other species of
land-shells, of which two are inseparable from living spe-
cies now found only farther west, viz.: H. fidelis of Oregon,
and Gonostoma yatesll of California. The third is doubt-
fully referred to the eastern species Patida perspectiva.
These are the most important evidences yet discovered of
the westward migration of the Pacific-slope species, being
now found only at 100 miles west and 500 miles south of
the locality of the fossils, in regions very different in cli-
mate, being far more moist.
356 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The deposit in which they were found is considered "mio-
cene from the bones of extinct mammalia fonnd in it, and
the land shells help to confirm this.
The extinct Mesodon seems to be the ancestor of the spe-
cies found in the regions north and westward, though not
very similar to any of them, while the close resemblance of
the other two western forms to living examples is remark-
able, for fossils so far anterior in time. The Patula is the
only one generically allied to the numerous forms of that
type now existing in the " Central Province," but unlike
them all.
The isolated occurrence at present of the Gonostoma
about the caves of Calaveras County gives a clue to the ex-
planation of the similar isolation of several other west-slope
species, such as Polygyrella in Montana, and Polygyra
harfordiaaa in Mariposa County, Cal., which may also have
ranged widely during the tertiary epochs.
Other geological evidences show that since the miocene
epoch the Cascade Eange and Sierra Nevada have been ele-
vated much higher than before, together with the *' Central
Proviacs" east of them, wJiile at the same time vast out-
flows of lava devastated the latter regions. These shells tend
to prove that at the time they lived in Central Oregon, that
region had a much]moister and milder climate, like that now
found west of the Cascades, and at a gradually rising eleva-
tion on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, as we progress
southward.
They also make it appear probable that any terrestrial
fossils found west of those ranges should be considered as
pliocene or later, although we have fresh-water bivalves in
the lignitic beds of Mt. Diablo, and it is possible that the
forests producing the lignite also contained eocene or older
land shells.
B. — GEOaRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
It would be interesting to continue the subject of deriva-
tion from fossil species down to the present time, if we had
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 357
■sufficient data to follow it out, but until more is learned we
<}au only infer part of it from tlie present distribution and
variations of the living species.
In 1869, I published what was then known on the sub-
ject, and again, in 1873, gave the special distribution of our
banded species and varieties with maps, in the Proc. Cal.
Acad., V, 121. Some additional information and cor-
rections have since then been accumulating, especially with
regard to the region around S m Francisco Bay, which is
the only well- explored region of land shells on the
west slope, and apparently the richest in variety of species,
subspecies etc., of any north of lat. 32'^ on this side.
1. SIERRA NEVADA.
Ill addition to what has been stated as to the occurrence
of the large Helicoids on the west slope of these mountains
only below the elevation of 5,000 feet, probably on account
of the absence of lima in a proper amount or condition
higher up, it must be noticed that the crystalline limestone
is not always sufficient to insure their existence even when
climate and moisture are favorable. As will appear later,
the lime must be a part of the soil, as the mollusca only ob-
tain it through the vegetation growing in that soil. But
above the limits of the large species there is found a grouj)
of small, often minute species, rare lower down, which shows
that sufficient lime exists in the vegetation above the lime-
stone strata to supply the little they need; and this doubt-
less comes from the less calcareous rocks, including the
volcanic.
These small species include what are conveniently grouped
as Vitrinoid and Succinoid species, which are found
chiefly from 5,000 to 6,000 feet altitude in the mountains
near lat. 39'. Above that height I found no land shells;
though the bivalve Pisidium occidentale exists in the rail-
road pass at about 7,000 feet. From there up to 9,000
feet, where patches of snow lie permanently on Mt. Stan-
358 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ford, about lat. 39° 25', although the summer mouths are
warm aucl moist, uo traces of them were found. As the
permanent snow is no doubt proof of a nearly constant
night temperature of 32°. and frosts are frequent during
summer down to 6,000 feet, we may consider these as the
causes of the absence of any mollusca. It is evident that
this limit must vary much in different parts of the moun-
tains, as snow does not lie permanently below 10,000 feet
on Mt. Shasta, lat. 4P 28', nor below 11,700 feet on the
"High Sierra," lat. 36° 30' to 38°, according to late explora-
tions of the U. S. Geol. Survey.
The wide gap in the northern Sierra referred to in the
last article (Bull. IV, p. 251), in which no land-shells were
known to exist for 100 miles north of Yuba river, has been
partly bridged over by the discovery of several at Quin-
cy, Plumas County, by Mr. W. J. Raymond. At an alti-
tude of 3,383 feet, or near it, he found (1) a Mesodon
(Aplodon) called by Mr. Binney an aberrant form of M. ar-
onigerus Ancey, or possibly new (no doubt the one reported
as '' Columbianus " from Calaveras Big Trees). Also (2)
Patala (stiiateUa?) cronkhitei Newc, (3) PiqjiUa corpulenta
Bid., (4) Vitrlna pfelfferi Newc, (5) Succinea oregonensis
Lsa. (6) S. naUaUianaJjQB.., (7) S . stretcliiana Bid. That ele-
vation is therefore about the dividing line between the large
and small groups near lat. 40'^. It is true tliat none of the
large banded species occurred, as they do up to 5,000 feet
toward the south, but No. 1 belongs to a medium -sized
group more numerous toward the north, while Nos. 2, 3, 4
and 7 are all of the subalpine group in California, and 5 and
6 rare in the lower Sierras, though common near the coast
up to 3,000 feet. Several of them were before known from
the same county and southward; in fact all except Nos. 1, 5
and 6.
Respecting " Macrocydis ^' Vancouver ensis from the Sierras,
mentioned on p. 247, I have seen dead shells apparently of
that species from Calaveras County, near Cave City at
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 359
nearly 1,600 feet altitude, and others from Fresno County,
and near San Diego, both being of the large Oregon form,
unlike the small form, so-called, existing in the northern
California coast ranges, where it is the size of M. sportella.
Considering that the banded species of the Sierra extend
toward San Diego along the coast, the large form seems to
have reached there by the inland route, and not by the
coast range of mouutains.
It may be remarked that toward the southern end of the
Sierras even the Yitrinoid species seem limited to a narrow
belt at about 5', 500 feet, none being known in the High
Sierras above there, nor on the lower slopes; while atTeha-
chapi Pass none occurred at any elevation below 4,000 feet-
Still there seems no reason why they should be absent
on the higher slopes up to near the snow line, as they were
found in the Rocky Mountains to 9,000 and 11,000 feet by
E. Ingersoll.
The large species of the lower elevations also seem to be-
come scarcer on these southern parts of the range, appar-
ently because the lower parts are too dry and the higher too-
cold for them, but search has not been made carefully
enough to prove this. The White River locality is the only
one known for 150 miles, though they no doubt occur at in-
tervals nearly all that distance.
While a very interesting group of species was found by
Harford and Dunn at the Mariposa Big Tree Grove near
5,500 feet altitude, near lat. 37^ 30', none have been re-
ported from Yosemite Yalley at 4,000 feet, and few farther
south. As the most extensive list of the southern Sierra
species yet known, I here publish it for the first time.
A. Yitrinoid species: 1. Ilyalinaarhorea] 2. Conulusfid-
viis] 3. Fatula striatella cronkJiitei.
B. Helicoid species: 4. Helix mormonum (small) ; 5. He-
lix traski franki (dwarfed); 6. Helix tudiculata (dwarfed);
7. Triodojms loricata-, 8. Polygyra har/ordiana, (9 miles,
south, in the Fresno grove. )
560 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
C. Pupoid species: 9. Fujnlla coiynlenta.
D. Succinoid species: 10. Succinea strctcMana.
The other species of the Sierras have been named in
several previous articles, being about fifteen besides those
here named. (See Binney's 2nd Suppl. to Terr. Mollusks.)
Of this list Nos. 1, 2, 3, are well-known to be widely
spread in the Northern States, No. 7 found also in the coast
range of California, Nos. 9 and 10 only in the Sierra Ne-
vada, and No. 8 so far only near this locality. No. 4 was
traced south only about 50 miles by Voy, No. 6 to about
lat. 32° 30', while No, 5, very small here at its northern
limit, becomes "common in the foothills a mile or two
north of Pose creek " (Gabb), as the larger variety car-
penteriana, and continues to Guadalupe Island, Lower Cali-
fornia.
Thus it appears that Nos. 4 and 5 overlap in their range
for at least 50 miles, and are found together for that
distance unconnected by intermediate forms, though both
'can be connected with H.fidelis by links now existing north
^nd west. It seems to me, therefore, that No. 5 must either
have reached this N. E. corner of its range from the
■direction of the fossils of Eastern Oregon, by way of the
east side of the Sierra Nevada (the connecting chain being
now extinct there) or has come from the south and west-
ward, thus reversing the usual course of migration.
For it is well known that the Sierra Nevada are much older
than the Coast Mountains, and that the latter are older to-
ward the north than the south, thus compelling a southward
migration among all land animals during their gradual ex-
tension over the country. However this question may be
looked at. No. 5 is unlike an}^ other of the Californian banded
Helices in crossing the southern end of the valley between
the two ranges of mountains, reappearing on the east slope of
the Coast range 58 miles farther south, upon tertiary fossil
limestone, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet, where no other
species is known to occur, near the summit of the Uvas
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 361
Pass, now more like the form first described as H. trasJd.
Tliis form was from Los Angeles, or the mountains near
there, about 60 miles farther southeast, but is abundant in
many spots along the whole coast slope in that direction,
with much variation in size and convexity but uniform in
color. Being often found throughout this range in com-
pany with No. 6 (but never with connecting forms), as far
south as San Diego, it shows that the region has been colo-
nized from the Sierra Nevada with these animals, although
the geological structure indicates the period of elevation to
have been of very late tertiary or post-pliocene date near
the coast. On Santa Rosa Island it seems to have changed
to H. ayersiana, a rare connecting link having been found
near Santa Barbara by Dr. Yates, but on other islands of
the group it is represented by the nearer allied^, rufocbida,
and may perhaps have been the original stock from which
the very much dwarfed var. gahbi and H. facta were de-
rived. On Coronados Island, Lower California, it is how-
ever like var. carpeiiteri, and on Guadalupe Island Mr.
W. E. Bryant found a form more like that of Lower Cali-
fornia peninsula, once confounded with H. remondi. Mr. G.
W. Dunn informs me that H. facta is also found on Guada-
lupe Island, and the very peculiar Helicoid, Binneya noia-
bilis, has been found there by Mr. Bryant, as well as on the
peninsula by Mr. Orcutt. The latter also reports Pupaovata
from near San Diego, and P. arizonensls from under Yucca
logs on the east slope of the mountains, which are thus con-
nected with the Arizona fauna, as I stated in the Amer. Jour.
Conch. IV, 217, 1869, though there was some doubt then of its
occurring in California. No other new facts on distribution
toward the southward have come to my notice.
2. THE COAST RANGES SOUTH OF MONTEREY.
It is to be observed that while the Sierra Nevada are to a
great extent cut off from the direct force of the sea breeze
except near the middle, their higher parts are so much above
362 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
the top of the Coast range that they receive more moisture
in winter and are no drier in summer, but the foothills be-
low 3,000 feet are both hotter and drier. It thus happens that
most of the land shells are to be found from that elevation
up to 6,000 feet, and though washed down by the streams,
can only exist in the foothills, in places either marshy or
springy, or sheltered by rocks, trees and caverns.
But we find two of them, Nos. 5 and 6, of the last list,
becoming common down to the sea in the counties south of
lat. 35°, the valleys there being open to the sea breeze and
less heated or dried up in summer, although the annual rain-
fall is much less than in the Sierras. They there attain their
greatest perfection, and No. 5 becomes much varied, assuming
forms on the islands, claimed to be distinct species. Fol-
lowing No. 5 toward the northwest it changes still further,
for near Point Conception Dr. Yates obtained a form of large
size but with nearly the same dark color as that of H. du-
2)etitJiouarsi combined with the sculpture of H. traski. It has,
in fact, nearly the same size and form as the figure of the
former copied by Binney from Deshayes, but which was de-
scribed as colored like H, fidelis.
Fifty miles farther north Mr. Kaymond found a form like
No. 5 in color but with the wrinkled epidermis of the Mon-
terey shell, and at San Simeon, 90 miles north, smaller speci-
mens exactly like those from Monterey. So there is here a
transition by graded varieties between the two, much as in
the links connecting fidelis with infumata near Humboldt
Bay. Still there is a geographical limitation of each lead-
ing form, indicating the probability that these links may be
hybrids, or not truly species, they being very variable, while
the species are quite uniform over wide tracts of country.
They are parallel cases to the numerous varieties of
Patida s^ri^osa, which within a limited range are found in great
numbers, so variable in size, form, color, and sculpture,
that scarcely two are alike.
These discoveries extend the range of H. dapetUhouarsi
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 365
to 135 miles south of Monterey, where only it was supposed ta
be found. It is thus limited to the narrow strip of
steep, rugged country, forming the west slope of the Santa.
Lucia Mts., Avhich is a ridge about 20 miles wide
close to the sea, and 4,000 to 6,000 feet high, receiving most
of the moisture from the sea winds and cutting it off in great
degree from the valleys eastward, as well as from the parallel
and lower ranges of mountains for about 50 miles eastward,
and from much of the highest portion of the Sierras. The
only terrestrial Pulmonata known in these arid valleys are
Succineas wherever marshes or springs are permanent.
It has been long known that a variety of H, traskl was
found near Paso Robles at the south end of the Santa Lucia
range, 25 miles e ist of San Simeon, and several hundred
feet high on the east slops. I included it in the description
of H. diahloemis in 1872, though somewhat different from
the northern type, but since then have considered them all
as varieties of H. traskl. It is evident from the varieties
already mentioned, that the distinctions between these and
H. dapetithoiiarsi become more decided towards the south
and east, or towards a drier and hotter climate. But the
anatomy of the animals is stated by Binney to be so differ-
ent that unless these connecting links show an intermediate
animal there should be no confounding of the two in one
species. The animal of var. diahloensis is described by
Binney as very near that of trasld. It is however still un-
settled whether the internal structure of these animals is less
variable than the external. On account of the great aridity
of the valleys for 216 miles N.W. of Uvas Pass, which
the main routes of travel traverse, no species seem to have
been found on the east slopes of the Mt. Hamilton range
50 to 60 miles from the sea. But as No. 5 is found at the
pass 45 miles inland, it is possible that the same, or a variety
of it, exists above 4,000 feet even in this arid range.
Paso Robles is 108 miles distant from Uvas Pass,
but nearer the coast and at the head of the
364 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Salinas valley, which no doubt contains them through-
out, as .Or. Yates found them living at the river
crossing, 90 miles northward, near Monterey Bay. There is
a gap of 70 miles from there to Cedar Mountain where the
species has not been found, nor indeed any other more than
25 miles east of the coast, but this must be on account of
no search having been made thoroughly enough. It seems
^Iso quite probable that links between H. traskl and H. mor-
7)iomim will be found in the Sierra Nevada.
3. THE BAY REGION, LAT. 36"^ 30' TO 38° 30'.
I now come to the most productive region in California as
to Land Pulmonata, about 45 out of 80 forms knoAvn in the
State being found in it, having beeo the most thoroughly
searched and naturally having the most suitable conditions
for this superiority in numbers. I give a map, copied from
the State map of Prof. Whitney's Geological Survey, with
the exception that ths elevations are indicated by contour
lines of 500 feet each, anil the heights of tho measured peaks
^'iven in feet, with somj corrections furnished by Prof. Da-
vidson of the Coast Survey. Being triangular in form and
approximately 150 by 96 miles in extent, it comprises about
7,200 square miles of land. Of this I have myself traversed
-carefully more than half on foot or horseback, especially
the mountainous parts, when wbrking out the geology of the
■" Bay Map," which includes four-sevenths of the land here
given. The northeast marshy and Hat corner of the region,
about 870 square miles in extent, is not known to produce
any but the amphibious Succineas, except a few washed
down by mountain streams, which survive along the borders
of the marshes for a short tima, and might increase if not
trampled on by cattle in the dry season.
This region lies directly west of the most elevated por-
tion of the Sierra Nevada, which also produces the greater
part of the Pulmonata characterizing that range, as men-
tioned previously. The same influences affect both regions
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 365
to a great extent; that is, the great gap in the coast ranges
made by the outlet of the two chief rivers of California,
allows the sea breeze to penetrate freely to the in-
terior, carrying moisture and coolness high up on the
Sierra Nevada. There are other *• wind-gaps" at Monterey
and Bodega Bays, by which the wind passes less freely
through the Coast range.
Previous to 1869, when I wrote the article on the distri-
bution of our land shells for the American Journal of Con-
ch ology, I had collected along the coast border and in the
Santa Cruz Mts. up to about 2,800 feet altitude. As
then stated, judging from what was known of their distribu-
tion in the Sierra Nevada and Eocky Mts. of Montana,
I supposed that the coast range must be well stocked up to
the summits with these animals, as lime in fossil beds and
plenty of moisture, with no ]3ermanent snow, were known to
characterize them almost everywhere. But the real distri-
bution has proved so different in t!ie bay region, that I am
induced to describe it in detail for each county, taking them
up as they are situated — in general — east, south, west and
north of San Francisco Bay. The list of species here given
is arranged to show this distribution, and to save repetition
of names, the species are referred to by numbers. Of this
list 15 species are nearly or quite identical with Sierra species,
six of them indeed being of that boreal group, in great part
circumpolar, which doubtless reached both ranges from the
north. The largest is M. armigerits, which differs consid-
erably in the Sierras, as far as known, but being quite small,
gives little room for specific distinctions, as is also true
of the remaining species, which are of the simpler,
plainer groups. These identical species are marked ^.
The most interesting of the species is H. cUahloan-
sis, as the nearest approach to a proof of the deriva-
tion of the Coast Range banded Helices from Sierra
Nevada species north of lat. 35^. But although it
might have been derived from shells washed down the San
366 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Joaquin River from near its head in lat. 37*^, that
wonkl not have carried it north of San Francisco
Bay, and it is known up to lat. 39^ on the east
slope of the Coast Eange, while none like it oc-
cur near branches of the Sacramento Eiver eastward.
From this I argue that it has either spread from the
Coast Range east, or that the forms of each range were de-
rived by changes caused by climate, etc., from the Oregon
shells of the same group.. More numerous comparisons and
dissections of connecting links will be required to decide
on the true limits of the species and sub-species.
In the region between Monterey and lat. 35^ there are no
traces of any forms connecting the only Sierra Arionta
(tucUcidata) with those nearest allied to it, which all exist
within the limits of the Bay region here given. The same
objection applies to the theory of their derivation from
shells washed down from the Sierras, as in the previous
case, especially as they are known along the coast up
to lat. 41° at least. (See article on the law of Variation
in the Banded Helices, in Proc. Cal. Acad. VI, 121, 1873.)
The names of localities given on the map are referred to
in this article, or in former papers, and to prevent confus-
ion names of towns are omitted, but their locations being
marked, they can be easil}^ recognized. The essential out-
lines are nearly correct, except the position of Mt. St.
Helena, the summit of which is nine miles north of the
limit of the map, and being in the volcanic region is only
given to show the increase of elevation in the country
toward the north, as the size of the pages would not adaiit
of including any more of the map in tJiat direction, nor
was it needed to illustrate the text. The heights given with
exact number of feet are accurate; others, as 300, 2,600,
etc., are only approximate.
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 367
LAND PULMONATA FOUND AROUND SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
A. LiMACOID.
* 1 . Limax campestris
t 2, " agrestis
+ 3. " (Amalia) hewstoni
4. Ariolimax columbianus
* 5. " californicus
6. " niger
7. " ( '■ ? ) liempbilli
8. " ( " ? ) audersoni
9. Prophysion audersoni
10. " ( " ) hemphilli
B. YlTRIXO 1).
''ll. Mesomphix vaucoiivereusis
12. " ( " ? ) sportella . .,
13. " ( " ? ) simplicilubr^j
14. " voyana ...
15. " duianti caelata
1 16. Hyalina cellaria
*17. '• arborea (Breweri )
^\S. " minusciila
"19. " milium ,
19. a '* limatula ?
*20. Micropbysa pygmaea
*21. " conspecta
22. Helicodiscus liueatns ?
23. " ? (nndescribed)
C. Helicoid.
*24. Triodopsis loi icata
*2o. Mesodou ( Aplodon) armigerus
26. Arionta arrosa .
27. " " aib iretonim
28. " " bolderiaua
29. " " stiversiaua
30. " californiensis
31. •' '' nemorivaga
32. " " rameutosa
33. " " liidgesii
34. " " vincta
35. " '• exarata
36. Campylffia ? (fidelis) infumata
37. *' (traskii ?) diabloensis. . . .
38. ' ' dupetithouarsi
39. " ( " ) sequoicola.
D. PUPOID.
*40. Pnpilla rowelli
41. " " californica
E. SUCCINOID.
*42. Succinea oreaoneusis
*43. ' ' rusticana
*44. •' sillimani
*45. " nuttaliiana
* Sierra Nevada, also, t Introduced.
368 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
These two counties form a quadrangle, including the
whole region " East of San Francisco Bay," and are about
40 miles square. About 270 square miles of the eastern
portion, rising from the level marshes up to about 200 feet,
is very arid in summer, the water-courses nearly all dry-
ing up, and no trees growing along their banks for 10 or 15
miles. The river shores south of the westward bend, are,
however, lined by large trees and shrubbery, where not too
marshy, and Avould no doubt support many species washed
down to them, if the floods, both of summer and winter,
did not destroy those that escape tramping cattle.
Only two species have been found living near the marshes,
Nos. 25 and 32, besides the four amphibious Succineas, 42,
43, 44 and 45.
At the foothills near Mt. Diablo, water begins to be per-
manent in pools, and above the porous sandstones is found
running in summer down to about 100 feet above tides,
wherever the harder metamorphic rocks occur, while trees
again become common along the streams, and in cool,
springy situations live-oaks, pines and shrubbery cover parts
of the hillsides. On the north slopes, and always near fos-
sil if erous rocks between 100 and 1,000 feet elevation, are
found small colonies of No. 32. From a similar locality on
the east slope, Prof. Brewer brought the type of No. 37.
I searched carefully on the south and west slopes, but
could find none of any kind in the best localities, nor was
Dr. Yates more successful in a careful examination of the
ridge 10 or 12 miles S. E. of the peak. None were found
above 1,000 feet for 5 miles up the north slope, where little
lime and no fossils occur, and though these are found
over 2,000 feet on the south side, the greater heat apparent-
ly prevents the existence of any except Limacoid species.
But as some of these are found active in wet places
through the dry season, and dead shells always show the
existence of other kinds when not active , it seems unlikely
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 369
that we could miss any where they occurred. Some large
permanent springs also produced several fresh-water spe-
cies in plenty.
The trees on this mountain are usually too scattered to
give much shelter, and even where most dense, no pulmo-
nates were found, the rock being metamorphic.
As shown on the map, there are here two spurs of the
Mt. Diablo range, separated by Livermore Valley and Wal-
nut Creek, but farther south they join, forming the Mt.
Hamilton range, in which the whole country is more ele-
vated, many peaks being higher than Mt. Diablo, and the
lofty region near the southern boundary of Alameda County
is over 20 miles wide, sloping northwest.
A large extent of this table land is covered with snow for
many weeks in winter, and large streams run from it all the
year into Livermore Valley. The highest parts are more or
less wooded with Cedars (Lib oce dries), Cypresses {Cupressus),
Pines and Oaks, sometimes quite densely, but being as far
as known metamorphic, no land mollusca have been found
high up. The northwest summer winds seem to condense
the fogs from the sea upon these high regions, while they
cool the air without so much desiccation as on the lower
ridges and valleys. But unlike the Sierra Nevada, this range
does not seem to produce land pulmonates above 1,000 feet,
and as on Mount Diablo they only occur near fossils. Dr.
Yates explored much of the region, and not having been
there myself, I quote from his letters: " I only found land
shells where the miocene or cretaceous fossiliferous sand-
stones cropped out, between 800 and 1,100 feet elevation, six
miles N. W. of the summit of Cedar Mountain. These
rocks in the deep ravines along the west side of the ridge
near its base, contain many fossils; higher up, it is all
metamorphic and no land shells were found." The species
he found were 7, 15, 30, 34, 37.
Thus the general fact is confirmed that No. 37 is one of
the group living in or near coniferous forests where the soil
26-BuLL. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued May 25, 1887.
370 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
is calcareous. It has not been found west of this locality,
but reappears southward at Salinas River, and there borders
on the range of its nearest allies, Nos. 38 and 39, which, as
before stated, may be off-shoots from it in the cool coast
ranges. That it does not run into the Arionta group west-
ward, is shown by the forms of that sub-genus found with
it, being the two most unlike it known to exist.
The most unexpected fact was finding No. 3i exactly like
the Monterey variety, which is elsewhere known only near
the coast, and rare.
Livermore Yalley, which is about 80 square miles in area,
is too dry in summer for any species to live, except in very
rare spots along the banks of creeks where they may sur-
vive under logs, roots or stones, but we found none except
on the borders of a marshy lagoon, and the streams entering
it from the north or west, near where Alameda Creek cuts
through the western spur of the mountains. Those found
were Nos. 1, 1, 14, 31, 32, 33, 42, 43, 45 (Nos. 14 and 31 at
the base of the hills only). It is probable that the alkalin-
ity of much of the water in summer prevents the existence
of both land and fresh-water pulmonates in other parts of
the valley.
It is well known that while springs containing little min-
eral matter except lime, are favorable to them, those having
much of other salts are injurious, which explains their ab-
sence from many regions where metamorphic or volcanic
rocks prevail, as well as from unaltered regions where salts-
have remained from marine deposits, or percolated through
from other rocks.
The northern border of Contra Costa County would ap-
pear more favorable to tliem than we have found it to be,
but the summer wind blows through the gap with such force
as to desiccate the shores too much for the growth of many
trees, and west of the river junctiou the marshes are too
salt to suit them, so that there is very little shelter in the
dry season. Those known from there are Nos. 5, 11, 24, 25,
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 371
32, 36, 42, 43, four of which were found also on the eastern
border.
The western slope of the mountains forming the eastern
shore of the bay (called Contra Costa hills), is mostly of
metamorphic rocks near its base, but partly covered with
pliocene gravels up to 300 feet, while miocene sandstone
with many fossils forms the summits and eastern slopes of
tlie spur. The creeks draining it all head within this fos-
siliferous region, and carry down lime in abundance to
the valley soils. There are also calcareous springs deposit*
ing tufa along the junction of the pliocene and metamorphic
rocks in many places. It receives the full effect of the sum-
mer fogs condensing about the summits, as well as more
winter rain tlian eastward, while the sea breezes keep it
cool in summer. We therefore find it the most favorable^
region yet mentioned for land pulmonates, which, however^
still seem absent everywhere above 1,000 feet elevation.
The influence of these new conditions is seen here also
in the commencement of a new group of botanical sj^ecies,^
accompanied to some extent by animals also, of species not
known east oi- southward in the Mt. Diablo range, but char-
acterizing the coast ranges west and north of San Francisco
Bay. The most conspicuous example of this is the isolated
grove on Kedwood Peak; but some of the shrubs and
smaller plants have a wider range.
Although Rocky Mound, five miles north, is much
higher, its upper parts are entirely metamorphic, and thus
unsuited for the redwood. The Peak has its eastern slope
and summit composed of sandstone lying upon serpentine,.
and at the junction numerous springs come out forming,
creeks running in every direction.
The redwood trees grew^ in 1850 pretty thickly over a sur-
face about two miles square at the summit, mostly in clumps
around the springs, and becoming scarcer down to about 500
feet elevation. Though many hills in the ridge are as higk
or higher, this was the only one so wooded, being the
372 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
only one having the necessary conditions for their growth.
The nearest groves of the species are 21 miles N. W. and 23
miles S. W., across the bay, bnt some buried logs in San
Francisco County, about 14 miles distant, show that a few
^rew there during past centuries. A few grew along San
Leandro creek, to a distance of six miles south, and w^ere as
Jarge as the others.
Several sawmills were built soon after 1849, and every
accessible tree large enough for use was cut down. The
roots being almost indestructible, however, have sprouted
vigorously, sending up 10 to 20 sprouts about each stump,
rand these now shade the ground around springs more dense-
ly than the large ones, though probably not condensing so
much moisture from fogs. They are now a foot thick, fifty
feet or more high, and sometimes covered with cones, show-
ing no tendency to die out. The stumps are mostly about
12 feet thick, and the old trees probably averaged 200 feet
ihigh. Unfortunately, this magnificent tree growls so much
slower than some others that it is not a favorite, and the
settlers grub or burn out all those on land suited for cul-
tivation, besides destroying thousands every year for dec-
larative uses.
I have described this grove particularly because its moist,
<cool locality seems exactly suited for land pulmonates, and
yet none are found above 1,000 feet on the peak, and only
two si^ecies there, Nos. 5 and 11, one a Limacoid, the other
very thin-shelled, but not found in the drier regions east-
ward.
The reason indicated by these two species for absence of
■others seems to be the want of lime, and to confirm this we
find at about the lower limit of redwoods on San Leandro
Creek, other species of the coast range, Nos. 25, 26 and 31,
{26 very small, but typical), appearing where branches from
the east bring down lime from the more eastern ridges.
The sandstone of the peak is supposed to be cretaceous,
but contains no fossils, while the miocene strata three miles
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 37o
eastward contain many, but are so mucli drier that land pul-
monates are rare on tliem, and are the same species found
Avest of Livermore Valley.
There is a dense growth of trees on many of the north and
east slopes of these hills, especially where springy, which
form shelter for such animals, but only one small grove of
pines grows two miles northeast of the peak on a very dr3r
sandstone ridge, and can have no effect on the land shells,,
being a species of the arid eastern slope of the range.
Toward the northwest, however, appears another of the
coast range species. No. 36, between 250 and 400 feet
elevation, along the belt of calcareous tufa before men-
tioned, wdnch runs about four miles N. W. through Pied-
mom Yalley, and the same distance S. E.
It is accompanied by the largest number of species found
east of the bay. They are Nos. 1, 5, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 23,
28, 31, 36, while in scattered localities lower down are
found Nos. 6, 24, 25 42, 43, and near the bay shore Nos. 2
and 3 (introduced), 20 and 21 in gardens, 40, and Nos. 18,,
19 and 22 have been reported from the vicinity. Fires^
clearing, and cultivation of the land, have no doubt mucli-
thinned out most of these, as few of them are found abun-
dantly.
As none exist on the higher and steeper parts of the hills,,
the settlement of the lower more cultivable parts must tend
to cause a still greater scarcity of many of them, especially
those limited to this vicinity, Nos. 28 and 33. The tendency
of migration is chiefly downward, shells being carried hy
the winter freshets down the streams, but the more general
cultivation of the level lands tends to exterminate them,
Avith some exceptions hereafter noted. There formerly ex-
isted large colonies of some species in willow thickets and
meadows near the bay, but few are now found in such
places. I was told by an old resident that he once found
a large colony near Eedwood Peak, in a meadow near
a mill, and as I have not found any at the sawmills.
^74 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Avhicli were near 1,000 feet elevation, I suppose he meant a
flour-mill tlien standing 51 miles N. E. of the peak at about
400 feet altitude, near the original locality of No. 33, and
where also occur other forms of No. 30. I found a great
colony of No. 35 near the head of the bay in 1855, and
some were still found there by H. P. Carlton in 1870.
I have heard from gardeners at various places around the
bay, of great numbers being washed down in very wet win-
ters, but they often confound the damage done by Lima-
coids with that of the less common shelled kinds. The
banded Helicoids, Nos. 26 to 35, seem quite able to increase
in gardens and meadows, where they run into still more vari-
-eties, and have probably supplied the forms figured by
authors, which have been hard to identify. From the fre-
quency of the Ariontas in gardens, they are beginning to be
known near this bay as ''Garden Snails," and foreigners
have even attempted to cultivate the larger kinds for food.
The shell mounds left by the Indians are also favorite local-
ities on account of the lime; but I have never found any
buried in the mounds as proof that the Indians ate them.
The drainage basin next south of Eedwood Peak, is
on the branches of San Lorenzo Creek, of which the
town of Haywards is near the centre, including about 270
square miles, and reaching east 15 miles. It is much drier
and warmer, so that most species become more rare, and
Nos. 25, 26 and 28 disappear. From ten years residence,
however, I have been able to find most of the others found
northward, though some are exceedingly rare. No. 2 has
not been introduced, nor Nos. 18, 19, 22, found, being rather
doubtful as east-side species
On the other hand we find the new forms, Nos. 7, 8 and
13, which may all prove to be varieties of allied species
<3aused by the increased dryness, as they are of doubtful
occurrence elsewhere. Much less trees and shrubs grow on
the hills, chiefly in canons and on north slopes, while fossils
are limited to the eastern half of the hills. A few s]3ecies
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 375
are found up to 1,000 feet elevation rarely. No. 36 is not
found south of Alameda Creek, and No. 32 becomes the
prevailing form of 30, as it was in the dry region near Mt.
Diablo.
The species of the upper part of Alameda Creek basin
liaving been mentioned, there only remaki about 200 square
miles of Alameda County around Mission Peak. The only
species known from there are Nos. 24 and 32; but close
search will probably reveal other smaller species. There
is, however, an evidently rapid decrease, caused chiefly by
dryness. Dr. Yates thinks that No. 32 goes higher up
this peak than elsewhere, fossils being also found nearly to
its summit, where a less arid climate must prevail.
From here southeast the Mt. Hamilton range has been
mentioned as not known to produce any species on the
liigher portions. But some of the lower ranges on its west
slope are fossiliferous, and may be supposed to have some
species, especially Nos. 5,8, 9, 14, 32, 37, the best suited for
dry regions, and in wet places, Nos. 42 to 45. Though part
of the same mountain range described last, it belongs to the
next county to be mentioned.
On the map the number 686 is the height in feet of Liver-
more Pass (a little west of the figures), 485 is the elevation
of the town of Livermore, 264 of Suiiol, at the head of
Alameda canon, the lagoon referred to being a few feet
higher and some five miles northward. The lettering often
obscures the lines of elevation, so that they cannot always
be counted for heights.
The next article will describe the distribution in the re-
maining counties, and give the geological deductions de-
rived therefrom, showing why it differs so much from that
of the Sierra Nevada.
376 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Corrections of Article " On Fossil and Sub-Fossil Land Shells in
the United States," in Bull. 4.
Page 236 — From the fall list of Bland's works, published
lately by Mr. A. F. Gray, C. E. (Salem, Mass., 1884), it
appears that most of his papers on West Indian shells, and
those quoted in Binney's Bibliography, are dated before
1858, but those on North American species, between 1858
and 1883.
Page 246 — Later information from Mr. Thomson, and
also from Mr. Moores (p. 248), will be given hereafter under
the head of introduced species.
Page 247 — "3Iacrocyclis." The type of this genus being
now known to belong to a different family, I have in the
table, page 367 of this article, substituted Mesompliixj of
Kafinesque, of which the type was "il/. planorhoides,'' so ad-
mitted byFerussac and Pfeiffer in many publications. The
fact that the species was previously named concava by Say
does not invalidate the generic name, nor does its use as a
sub-genus of Zonites by W. G. Binney, affect its previously
established position. Mr. Ancey has made for the same
genus the name Selenites, a word already used in mineralogy,
and not at all needed here. The genus as named by Rafin-
esque is as well established as his Mesodon, now generally
adopted on quite as slender foundations.
Page 252 — The lowest paragraph was accidentally mis-
placed, as it should have preceded Liniax, etc. Very full
information on species near lat. 49^, mostly furnished by
Eev. G. W. Taylor, will appear later.
Page 255 — Mr. Binney's exact words are, "It has simple
genitalia without the accessory organs usually found in
Arionta.'' He has, however, since described the plainer
Eastern forms from Montana, etc., as ^'3Iesodon ijtycliopliora^
Avith varieties major and minor.
Y O L 0 ^t£ "
?i-*-~SJ% Miry/
EXPLA NA TION.
Scale, 18 miles to one inch.
Contour lines 500 feet .
Towns. o
Highest Peaks. (^
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 377
STUDIES IN THE BOTANY OF CALIFORNIA AND PARTS
ADJACENT.
BY EDWARD LEE GREENE.
YI.
1. Notes on the Botany of Santa Cruz Island.
Santa Cruz is one of the principal nnits in a succession of
eight islands which lie along the Coast of California south
of Point Conception. xA.ll but two or three of the smaller
members of the group are near enough to the mainland to
be plainly visible on a clear day; and the arrival at anyone
of them, except the two or three most remote, is only a
matter of an afternoon's sail from one or another of the
mainland seaport towns of that part of the State. To peo-
ple who know something of the special interest which at-
taches to insular natural history in general, it may seem
strange that, while the mainland botany of California has^
been, during the last thirty years, assiduously cultivated by
many collectors, amateurs and professional botanists, these
large islands, so near at hand, have been left until recently
quite unexplored. Eemoved as they are to hardly more
than a song bird's flight from the California Coast Range
of mountains, it may have been inferred that their vegeta-
tion would be altogether that of the mainland; and that the
scientific exploration of no one of them would be likely to
repay the possible discomforts of a day's sail across the
channel and a week's encampment on ground so rugged,,
and withal so barren looking as all these island steeps ap-
pear when viewed from a distance of twenty or thirty miles.
But the few fragments of positive botanical information
which did, years ago, come in from one and another of the
group, were sufficient to indicate the probability of many
interesting peculiarities in their flora. Some forty-four
years ago Mr. William Gambel of Philadelphia, an ornithol-
378 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ogist, visited Santa Catalina, the nearest and most readily
accessible of these islands. This gentleman, although not
n botanist, had the botanical good sense to prepare and take
away a few plant specimens; and his small collection was
found to contain not only species not known on the main-
land, but also some new generic types. One of these,
Crossosoma, is so peculiar as almost to represent a distinct
natural order, and is more related to the Dllleniacece of Asia
and Australia than to any plants of the American continent,
•except its single congener, more recently discovered, which
inhabits the desert region of southeastern California.
Mr. Gambel's trip to Santa Catalina appears to have been
the first, and for thirty years and more it remained the only
visit which had been made to any of these islands, by any
naturalist who had an eye to botany. But in the month of
September, 1884, Mr. William S. Lyon of Los Angeles
spent three days botanizing on this island, and in June and
July of the year following continued his valuable researches
during three weeks. Moreover, in April, 1885, he spent
four days on San Clemente, in company with another botan-
ist, Rev. J, C. Nevin. The highly interesting results of
these several expeditions were published in the Botanical
Oazette for 1886. Mr. Lyon's lists number, for Santa Cat-
alina, one hundred and fifty-one species; for San Clemente,
■eighty-one. Out of these about fifteen were new to science,
and at least ten others were unknown except from other
islands, including the distant and isolated Guadalupe, mak-
ing, out of a total of two hundred and thirty-two species, at
least twenty-five which are not found on the mainland. One
of Mr. Lyon's novelties, appropriately named Lyonothammcs,
was of a new generic type; so that the islands of this group
could now boast of at least two peculiar genera of flowering
plants.
The fruits of these explorations of Santa Catalina and San
Clemente were thus of a nature to intensify our desire of
becoming acquainted with the vegetation of Santa Cruz, and
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 379
other large islands Avhicli lie to the northward and also
somewhat to the seaward of those above named. But in
the meantime we had not remained in quite total ignorance
of the botany of Santa Cruz; for in the year 1874 the late
Dr. Albert Kellogg and Mr. W. G. W. Harford were there
for some days, in connection with the United States Geo-
detic Survey of the islands; but it was too late in the season
for much botanizing. They were also on the large adjacent
island of Santa Rosa at about the same time. I could never
find that they brought specimens of more than six species
of plants from the two islands; but all were new. Three
of them, namely, Leptosyne gigantea, from Santa Cruz,
and Bemlromecon Harfordii, and Grimlelia latlfolici, from
Santa Eosa, were published by the late Dr. Kellogg shortly
afterwards in the Proceedings of the California Academy.
The other three, Saxifraga malvcefoUa, Eriogonum arhorescens
and Hazavdia detonsa^ all from Santa Cruz, were published
more recently by myself. In 1885 the beautiful new tree,
Lyonothamnus asplenifolius^ a second and very striking
species of Mr. Lyon's new genus of Santa Catalina, having
been brought to our knowledge by Mr. Hazard of Santa
Barbara, as one of the peculiar products of Santa Cruz, de-
termined the present writer to pass, if possible, a part of
his next vacation on that particular island. The list of species
known as certainly belonging to it numbered now, indeed,
only four\ and all four were apparently endemic; at least
not one of them was known to occur on the mainland, or
even upon other islands of the group. My opportunity for
carrying into effect the purpose I had formed came in July
of 1886; and by the kindness of Mr. Justinian Caire of San
Francisco, who is the owner of the island, my inspiring
task was begun under very favorable auspices, except that
I was quite too late in the field for the best botanizing, it
being near the middle of the dry season of the year, when
'The haliitat of Corethrogyne (now Hazardia), ditonsa, which really
made the fifih, was not yet known.
380 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
but an imperfect knowledge could be gained of that abund-
ant annual vernally maturing vegetation which, in all parts
of California lying near the level of the sea, is the glory of
the floral year.
Before passing to remark upon the flora more particu-
larly, it will not be amiss to speak briefly of the physical
aspects of the island in general.
As seen from the city of Santa Barbara, at a distance of
about twenty -five miles, the island of Santa Cruz appears
to rise, like a blue precipitous mountain range, from the
bosom of the sea. It is about twenty-three miles long, and,
in diflerent places, from three to seven miles broad, the
highest peaks rising to an altitude of somewhat less than
three thousand feet. The near approach reveals a suc-
cession of more or less sharply outlined hills rising one
behind another. This lengthwise range of mountains,
wdiich forms all that is seen of the island as it is approached
from the northern or Santa Barbara side, is intersected at
short intervals by deep and narrow gorges which run down
to the sea. In most of these running water of good quality
is to be found at almost any time in the year, so that the
northern slope may be said to be well watered; and the
common trees of the nearest mainland mountain districts,
such as the large-leaved maple (Acer macrophyUiim), live
oak (Quercus agrifolia), poplar (Popidus tricJwcarpa) , willow
(Salix Icevigata), and many more are found thriving in all
these canons; and yet the tree which is commonest of
all in similar situations on the mainland, the sycamore
(PlcUanus racemosa), is entirely absent from Santa Cruz.
The mouths of the canons afford the only landing places
along all the coast line. The gravelly beds of the stream-
lets which run down them, are the only parts of the
island's surface which descend at all gradually to the ocean's
edge. At these points, and not elsewhere, will the boatman
or sailor find a narrow strip of beach, and that barely com-
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 381
mensurate with the breadth of the gorge itself. With the
exception of these, the whole coast of the island rises almost
or quite perpendicularly from the water, the first terrace of
comparatively horizontal ground setting in at the height of
from twenty-five to five hundred feet above the tide. This
lowest succession of slopes forms a considerable part of
the best grazing land of Santa Cruz . It is an open, roll-
ing district, extending back for a half mile or more,
evely where intersected by the narrow canons mentioned,
covered with fine grass, dotted with clumps of scrub oak
{Qaercus dumosa), and some patches of manzanita
(Ardostaphylos) ^ with here and there a grove of the beautiful
fern-leaved Lyonothamnus. Back of this terrace the land
rises more abruptly, breaking into rocky shelves and deep
gorges, and the vegetation becomes more arboreal. Here
are dense forests of a small pine, identical with that which is
found on Cedros and Guadalupe, and which is not hereto-
fore reported from other islands of the Santa Barbara group;
clumps of a large-fruited evergreen cherry-tree allied to, but
distinct from Prunus ilicifolla of the continental Coast
Range; impenetrable thickets of manzanita, with here and
there a group of oaks, Q. agrifolia and Q. cJirysolepis.
From the summit of this northern acclivity one looks dowu,
not, as one might expect, to the southern shore of the island,
but into a deep and fertile valley of considerable extent.
Up and down this stretch of valley are fields and vineyards,
and, in the midst of all, an assemblage of cottages and
barns, the principal one of the four or five ranches which
have been established by the owner of the island, and are
occupied by superintendents and laborers. This valley,
forming, as it does, a great depression in the middle of the
island, will, if the island be of volcanic origin, pass for the
extinct crater which it looks as if it might be. Down the
western half of the depression courses a stream which is
flowing, at intervals, at least, during even the dry season of
the year, and which finds its outlet into Prisoners' Harbor
382 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
by a broad and beautiful can on between two and three
miles long. Tlie valley enjoys immunity from the fogs
which for a considerable part of the year shroud the
seaward slopes, and has, along with its peculiar climate, a
quite characteristic vegetation, as will be indicated in the
catalogue of species which is to follow.
To the number of four species which were previously
known to inhabit Santa Cruz, my pleasant but laborious
weeks of sojourning there have added upwards of three
hundred. The list here given numbers, indeed, three
hundred and twenty -one. About twenty -five of these
are plants indigenous to the Old World, but natural-
ized in California. Deducting these five and twenty
plants of alien derivation, there remains a list of two
hundred and ninety-six indigenous species. Out of this
number the very surprisingly large proportion of forty-
eight are unknown, except from this or other islands off
this coast, and as many as twenty-eight of the forty-eight
are, in so far as our present knowledge of the other islands
goes, peculiar to Santa Cruz itself. Excluding, then, the
four endemic species which had been discovered before my
advent to the island, there stand forth, as the result of my
own researches, twenty-four entirely new to science. A
considerable proportion of these novelties have been
described already in some earlier pages of the present
volume of Bulletins. Some others were printed in Pittonia,
and descriptions of the rest are to be sought in the cata-
logue which supplements this paper. It must not be pre-
sumed that this list is anything like a complete one. My
explorations were limited to the western half of the island,
and my time was quite too short for a thorough study of
even that part of the whole ground before me. The eastern
half remains untouched. What was done was done, as I
have indicated, at quite too late a season of the year.
Several of the new annuals I could not have characterized,
as I found fchem dead and bereft of everything save their
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 383
capsules, and I have diagnosed them from plants raised
from seed which I brought home. Perhaps the list does,
not enumerate more than two-thirds of the actual species
which exist on Santa Cruz. But it numbers more than
twice as many plants as have been reported from any other
one member of the group. Peculiar circumstances of the
distribution of the species, together with the astonishing
number of such as are endemic, will make the list appear
more like that of some remote and strictly oceanic island
than of one lying close beside a great continent. I do not
think that continental islands in other parts of the world
offer any parallel to what Santa Cruz exhibits in this
respect. That a small ridge of mountain rising out of the
sea at only twenty -five miles' distance from a mainland shore
should present forty-eight species of phanerogamic plants
not to be found on the continent itself is, to my understand-
ing of the case, a fact entirely unique in the annals of phyto-
geography, and I cannot but wonder if competent geo-
logical authority will not, after careful investigation, assure
us that this group of islands has a very peculiar geological
origin and history. There seem to be indications that, as
a group, they have contributed to the. flora of the continent
as freely as they have received contributions from it. I
know not how else to interpret the fact that while those
types which are peculiarly and distinctively Californian are
strongly predominant on the islands, those which, being
found in California, are also common to all North America
are but very feebly represented. Delpliiniuin and Banun-
cidus, Bihes, Buhus and Lonicera, for example, abound on
the Pacific Coast of the continent, but are equally prevalent
all the way across it; and the representatives of those genera,
and others in the same category, are among the very rarest
plants of Santa Cruz, seemiug as if their arrival there had
been a late one — too late for them to have secured an
ascendency. On the other hand, the distinctively Califor-
nian genera, like Dendromecon smdEschscholtzia, Thysanocar-
384 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pus and ZaiiscJineria , abound in sucli numbers, both of
species and individuals, as to force on us the strange
question of whether it was not from these, as from seed-
beds, that our mainland plants of the same genera were
•derived. There is one species of Dendromecon dispersed
widely up and down the Calif ornian mountain districts, and
this, until lately, was supposed to be a monotypical Pacific
North American genus. The hills of Santa Cruz are
embellished everywhere with a second strongly marked
species much larger than the mainland one; while Santa
Rosa, closely adjacent, furnishes the third. It is also
to be noted that Mr. Lyon reports the original species
as occurring on Santa Catalina, the island nearest the
€ontinent; so that the archipelago has all three species
of this genus, the mainland one only. In EschscJioUzia
closely allied to Dendromecon, we find two species, and
these exclusively insular, on Santa Cruz. In the order
of Crucifeixe the most characteristically Californian genus is
Tliysonocarpus, and its nearest relative is the Asian
lauscheria. Santa Cruz has two Thysanocarpi, both most
distinct from all species hitherto known, having their own
well marked habit, but, in fruit character, betraying the
closest aifinity for their Old World ally.
The Cistacece are prevailingly an Old World order of
plants. There is but one representative of it on the
western coast of the North American continent. On Santa
Cruz this species abounds as nowhere else, and is there
associated with a second and new member of the same
genus, Helianthemum.
In the vast order of the Legumhiosce, as in Bo.muicalacece,
there is exhibited a dearth both of s])ecies and individuals
of those genera which belong to the whole of North Amer-
ica, and a superabundance of them in such as are distinc-
tively Californian. One rarely meets with a Lathyriis, a
Vicia or an Astragalus, and the few and scattered individ-
uals in such genera occur only by the shores and in places
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 385
where we know their seeds could have been driven across
the channel daring a winter's storm. The clovers also are
few, and there is but one peculiar species. But the whole
island is abundantly stocked with species of Hosackia and
Syrinaiium, which genera are exclusively West American,
and about half the species are peculiarly insular. Passing
to the Bosacece, we find the island totally destitute of such
cosmopolitan genera as Spircea, Fragaria, Potentilla and
Geum, of which there is no great dearth on the other side
of the channel; but the Calif ornian genus Heteromeles is
about twenty fold more abundant on this island than on any
equal extent of mainland territory; and Adenosfoma and
Cercocarpus, also Pacific American exclusively, are very
plentiful. Mr. Lyon in his very valuable paper/ has spoken
particularly of the fine wild cherry (Pranics occidentalis) of
Santa Catalina, which he fancies may be peculiar to that
island. It prevails quite as universally and is equally luxu-
riant on Santa Cruz. If there exists between this and its
depauperate congener of the Californian Coast Range, the
relation of parent and offspring, it must be that the insular
is the parent species. One of the principal moiphological
differences between the two is this: the leaves of P. occiden-
talis are ample and nearly or quite entire; those of P. ilici-
folia are, as the name implies, coarsely spinose-toothed, and
they are smaller. But the peculiar foliage of the reduced
mainland species is precisely that of all j^oung seedlings of
the insular, showing the case of the former to be one of ar-
rested development. The smaller size and the less palata-
ble and smaller fruit of P. ilicifoUa, are facts Avhich combine
well with its habit of retaining the foliage of the insular
seedling, to argue that the tree in migrating to our side of
the channel found in our mountains a soil and climate less
adapted to its full development. In confirmation of tliis
1 Botanical Gazette, xi. 197.
26— Bull. Cal. Ac^D. Sci. II. 7. Issued May 28, 1887.
386 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
view I sliould say, that in the Cerastes section of CeanotJms
where the prevailing species have entire leaves, and those
less common have them spinose-toothed, young seedlings of
the entire-leaved kinds always exhibit the spiny-toothed
foliage which, as it would seem, has become permanent in
the less common and more depauperate kinds.
Before passing from the subject of the concentration of
Californian t^^pes on Santa Cruz, I will mention one or two
further instances of it: that of Zauschneria, the original
species of which is found here and there along the north-
ward slope only, while the valleys and canons of the interior
and at the south side are, in many places, a very garden in
the abundance of two large new ones; and lastly, Bloomeriay
which, although frequent along our southward mainland
districts, is far from ever growing in showy masses. It is
common on all parts ot Santa Cruz; but on grassy knolls in
the middle of the island it thrives in such abundance that
the umbels touch each other over almost acres together.
Turning now to a different phase of the subject, it is very
evident that a goodly number of less common or even rare
plants of our southern counties have, within a compara-
tively recent period, been given to us from Santa Cruz it-
self. Comarostcq^hyUs diversifolia, a rare shrub of the San
Diego region, is now found to be one of the common small
trees of our island. This is its native land, and the scat-
tered and ill-grown individuals of the coast below indicate
that out of the island's abundance some of the light woody
nutlets drifted thither and germinated. In the spring
of 1885, I found a small and slender but well groAvn Bceria,
which was new to me, common along the shores of San
Diego Bay, not described in any of our books, and which I
had intended to publish sooner or later. It is now found to
be precisely the peculiar Bceria which abounds on Santa
Cruz, and which Mr. Lyon has also brought from San Clem-
ente. Still more remarkable is the case of Malacothrix
incana^ discovered at San Diego by Nuttall, more than fifty
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 387
years ago, never since seen or heard of until the past sea-
son, when I found it plentiful on the remote islet of San
Miguel, and also at the western extremity of Santa Cruz.
It is more than possible that Nuttall's scant specimens
from San Diego were made from a single plant, and that
perhaps th- only one which ever became exiled there. It
would naturally be in this great family of the Composike
whose seeds are made to travel with the winds, that we
should expect to find plants of insular origin most frequent-
ly establishing themselves upon the continental shores, and
in the interior beyond the coasts; and more especially, since
the dry season, during which the seeds of these plants are
matured and given to the air, is the time when the trade
winds prevail from the islands toward the continent.
The only thistle on Santa Cruz was evidently a new spe-
cies. Nothing like it was known to me; but not long after
my return, Mr. Parish of San Bernardino, whose district is
exactly to the leeward of this island, sent me this same
thistle for a new species of his own vicinity. Still another
somewhat rare Composita of the San Bernardino region,
Stephanomei'la cichoriacea, a species very remarkably differ-
entiated from its numerous congeners, is superlatively plen-
tiful on our island, and that not on the northern slope near-
est the mainland, but m the interior and on the southern or
seaward slope. With its white-woolly herbage, and tall
stems growing in prodigious clumps in every rocky place or
hanging from the niches of the highest and most inaccessi-
ble precipices, it is one of the striking figures in the Santa
Cruz landscape, and doubtless the island is the birthplace
of this species.
Thus far our insular botany has yielded two generic types
which have no continental species. One of these is Lyoiio-
thamniis. This is represented by one species peculiar to
Santa Catalina, and by a second which in so far as we know
is endemic on Santa Cruz, where it is the most beautiful, as
it is one of the most abundant arboreal products. The
388 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
other genus is Hazardia — shrubs of the order of Compositse
in some respects intermediate between the Australian
shrubby asters and the Californian genus Corethrogyne
Two of the species of Hazardia belong to Santa Cruz ex-
clusively, and the third is of that remote and isolated island
not belonging to this group, Guadalupe.
The most interesting of all our insular plants to me are
the Lavateras, of which I could, however, find no trace on
Santa Cruz. But they ought to be named in this connec-
tion, furnishing as they surely do, one of the most suggest-
ing hints that our little archipelago may actually have been
connected with some other continent than ours. Of Lava-
tera there are some eighteen or twenty species in various
parts of the Old World, and there is one in Australia. On
our American continent we have not one ; but the little
islands which lie off our southern coasts have already yielded
four indigenous and quite peculiar species of this genus.
One of these foui inhabits Guadalupe: the second, San
Benito, a cluster of rocky islets not far off the Lower Cali-
fornia peninsula, and nearly east of Guadalupe: the third
is peculiar to the Coronados Islands, which lie in sight of
San Diego: the fourth has been found on two or three
members of the Santa Barbara archipelago. This is, I re-
peat, the most marvelous fact which I am acquainted with in
connection with Pacific North American botany; and it is
one which strongly pleads for further exploration and study
of these inviting insular fields.
2. A Catalogue of the Floioering Plants and Ferns of the
Island of Santa Cruz.
1. Clematis ligusticifolia, Nutt. ; Torr. k Gray, Fl. i. 9.
Growing luxuri mtly in canons on the south side.
2. Ranunculus Deppei, Nutt. ; Torr. k Gray, Fl. i. 21 : B,
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 389
Ccdiforn'cus, Benth/ PI. Hartw. 295; Brewer & Watson, Bot.
Cal. i. 1; Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. xxi. 374, excl. var. latilobus.
North side, near the sea; apparently scarce.
3. Delphinium — ? A single plant, in fruit only,
high up in a caiion of the north side.
4. Platystemon Califoknicus. Benth. Trans. Hort.
Soc. 2. i. 405.
5. Platystigma dexticulatu:^!, Greene, Bull. Torr. Club,
xiii. 218.
6. Megonopsis heterophylla, Benth. 1. c.
7. Dendromegon flexile, Greene, I. c. 216. — On bushy
hillsides everywhere; quite plentiful on the northward slope
at no great distance from the shore.
8. EsCHSCHOLTZiA GLAUGA, Greene, Pittonia, i. 45. — Con-
fined to the interior of the island, and the southward slope.
9. EsGHSCHOLTZiA RA3I0SA, Greene, Bull. Torr. Club. xiii.
217. — On a small rocky islet near the northern shore; a
strictly maritime plant, growing only within reach of the
sea spray; also found on the sea shore on Guadalupe.
10. Card AMINE integrtfolia. '= Dentaria iate<jrifolia, Nut t. ;
Torr. & Gray, 1. c. 88 (1838); Cardamine pcmciseda, Benth.
PI. Hartw. (1857). — Northward slope; not common.
1 This very cornmou fitld buttercup of Califoruia was uamecl by Nuttill. in
honor of Ferdinand Deppe, a German botanist who had been his predecessor
in field work on this Coast. The name, R. Deppei, was printed, aloug with
the essential character of the species, not much less than twenty years be-
fore the appearance of Beutham's R. Gallfonncus.
- Mr. Nuttall was entirely correct in placing this plant under Dentaria,
and if the genus be kept up it must remain there. But, as Bentham and
Hooker have said, Dent'irla does not differ from Cardxmine, either in habit
or character.
There is another Californian species which has, until now, remained nom-
inally under the former genus, and may be called Cardamine Nuttallii=:
Dentaria iene'la, Pursh, Fl. ii. 439; Torr. & Gray, Fl. i. 87; Brew. & Wats.
Bot. Cal. i. 30. The adjective specific name tenella has already been used in
Cardamine.
390 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
11. Arabis FiLiFOhiK^^ Cardamine filifolia, Greene, Pit-
tonia, i. 30. — Notwithstanding its close resemblance, in
some respects, to our common Cardamine oligosperma, this
new insular plant must needs be an Arahis, for its siliques
are not only not elastically dehiscent; they are very tardily
dehiscent, and so, when ripe, plainly those of the genus to
which the species is now referred.
12. Thelypodium lasiophyllum, Greene, Bull. Torr.
Club. xiii. 142.
13. Sisymbrium vm'i^ATVM=Eri/.mmimijinnatum, Walter,
n. Carol. 174 (1788): Sisymhrmm canescens, Nutt. Gen. ii.
68 (1818).
14. Sisymbrium officinale, Scop. Carn. ed. 2, n. 824. —
In cultivated lands only.
15. Nasturtium aquaticum, Tragus, Hist. 82 (1552);
DodoniBus, Pempt. 581 (1583); Bauhin, Pinax. 104 (1623);
N. officinale, E. Br. Hort, Kew. ed. 2, iv. 110 (1812).—
Mouth of streamlet at Prisoner's Harbor.
16. Brassica nigra, Boiss. — Not widely prevalent.
17. Capsella divaricata, Walp. Rep. i. 175. — On a low
promontory, near the seashore, on the north side of the
island; probably adventive, for only one plant was seen.
18. Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Moench, Meth. 271.
19. Lepidium nitidum, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray. Fl. i. 116,
20. Lepidium Men^ziesii, DC. Syst. ii. 539.
21. Athysanus pusillus, Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad. i. 72. —
Common on the northward slope.
22. Thysanocarpus gonchuliferus, Greene, Bull. Torr.
Club, xiii. 218; Pittonia, i. 31.
23. Thysanocarpus ramosus. Wholly glabrous and
slightly glaucous, a foot high, the stem parted near the
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 391
base into many erect, leafy and at length racemose branches;
leaves 2 — 4 inches long, linear, those of the branches entire,
or with a few scattered small but salient teeth, and anauric-
ulate-clasping base, the lower and radical with 2 — 3 pairs
of linear divaricate lobes : raceme naked, the pedicels slen-
der and recurved : sepals minute, cymbiform, erect-spread-
ing in flower, white, with a broad green mid-vein : petals
twice the length of the sepals, spatulate-oblong, retuse:
stamens 6, all of the same length, three on each side of the
broad flat pistil: samara regularly and rather strongl}^ con-
cavo-convex, the crenate margin with or without some ob-
long perforations: style short, persistent. Species just in-
termediate between its very singular island congener and
the mainland T. crenatus; having the foliage and branching
habit of the former, nearly.
24. Oligomeris subulata, Boiss. fide Brew. & Wats. Bot.
Cal. i. 53. — Common along the sea shore.
25. Helianthemum scoparium, Nutt., Torr. & Gray, Fl. i.
152. — Common in the interior: suffrutescent, and strongly
so when mature; nevertheless flowering freely the first year
from the seed, thus often appearing as if annual.
26. Helianthemum occidentale, Greene (see page 144).
27. Frankenia grandifolia, Cham. & Schlecht. Linnasa,
i. 35. — Back of the beach, at the west end, abundant.
28. SiLENE ANTIRRHINA, Linn. sp. i. 419.
29. SiLENE Gallica, Linn. 1. c. 417. — Quite as common
as on the mainland.
30. &ILENE QUIXQUEVULNERA, Linn. 1. c. 416? — Smaller
than the preceding, with a larger capsule and calyx more
stiffly hirsute, growing with it on hillsides ever \ where in
the interior of the island. The plant was long past flower-
ing, and may possibly be S. nocturna; but whichever species,
it is otherwise unknown in this part of the world, and must
392 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
have arrived there Avith seed of grain or otlier cultivated
phmts, from southern Europe.
31. SiLENE LACINIATA, Cav. Ic. vi. 44?— Phiiit glabrous,
the leaves all very narrow: stems numerous, slender, de-
cumbent, from a thick, perpendicular fusiform root. Fre-
quent on northward slopes.
32. Stellaria media, Smith, Eng. Bot. t. 537.
33. Stellari\ nitens, Nutt.; Torr. & Gray, Fj. i. 185.
34. Sagina occidentalis, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad. x.
345.
35. Lepigonum maceothecum, Fisch. & Mey. Kindb.
Monog. Lep. 16. — A very robust and viscid perennial, with
large fleshy roots : not rare, on the north side, near the sea,
among rocks.
36. Pentac^na kamosissima. Hook. Bot. Misc. iii. 338. —
Low bluffs near the sea, toward the west end.
37. Calandrinia Menztesii, Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. i. 223.
38. Claytonia perfoliata, Donn, Bot. Mag. t. 1336.
39. Malva parviflora, Linn. Amoen. iii, 416. — Less
common than on the mainland, where it is called if. horealis;
but it is a most distinct species.
40. Malvastrum Thurberi, Gray. var. laxiflorum, Gray.
Proc. Am. Acad. xxii. 291. — Rare; only two bushes seen,
and these under the protection of large opuntias; perhaps
thus kept from the sheep.
41. Erodium cicutarum, THer.; Ait. Hort. Kew. Ed. 1,
ii. 414.
42. Erodium mosohatum, Willd. Sp PL iii. 631.
43. Rhamnus insularis, Kellogg., Proc. Cal. Acad. ii.
37 ?— Tree often 20 feet high, the naked trunks 4 — 5 inches
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 393
in diameter, clothed with a smooth light gray bark: branches
few and open : leaves oblong-oval, commonly 3 inches long,
including the half-inch petiole, and IJ inches broad, obtuse
at both ends, mncronate at apex, the margin slightly but
very regularly glandular-crenulate: color and texture of leaf
as in R. crocea; fruit also the same except as to size, being
much larger.
The tree here spoken of, although receiving its best
development on Santa Cruz, is well known in western Cali-
fornia from Lake county southward along the Mt. Diablo
range, and in herbarium specimens may, with some excuse
be referred, as it long Iims been, to Nuttall's R. crocea;
but no one in the field can confound tlie two. I saw the
same on Cedros Island two years ago. Yet there is a little
doubt about its being the plant described by the late Dr.
Kellogg. But in view of their probable identity I dare not
propose a new name for what, if it be the same, has already
two by the same author, the otlier one being R. ilicifolia.
44. Ceanothus crassifolius, Torr. Pac. R. Rep. iv. 75;
Bot. Mex. Bound. 46. t. 11. — Not rare, yet nowhere forming
thickets.
45. Ceanothus arboreus, Greene (see page 144).
46. Acer macrophyllum, Pursh, Fl. i. 267. — Common in
deep canons of the north side, and very luxuriant .
47. Rhus diversiloba, Torr. & Gray, Fl. i. 218. — North
side, rare.
48. Rhus integrifolia, Benth. & Hook. Gen. PI. i. 419.
Common on the northward slope, and of shapely tree-like
proportions, much larger than ever seen on the mainland.
49. Rhus ovata, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad. xx. 358. — •
Interior of the island, where it is common.
50. LupiNus Chamissonis, Esch. Mem. Acad. Petrop. x.
288. — Interior; also on islets near the shore; shrub of good
size.
394 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
51. LupiNUS AFFiNis, Agh. Syn. Lup. 20.
52. LupiNUS NANUS, Dougl. Benth, Hort. Trans., new ser.
i. 409. t. 14.
53. LuPiNUS TRUNCATUS, Nutt. ; Hook. & Am. Bot. Beech.
336.
54. LupiNUS HiRSUTissiMUS, Benth. Hort. Trans. 1. c.
55. LupiNUS UMBELLATUS, Greene (see page 145).
5Q. LupiNus MiCROCARPUS, Sims. Bot. Mag. t. 2413. — All
the above annual species appear in the interior only. Some
of them may easily have been introduced from the mainland
with seed of grain.
57. Trtfolium ciliatum, Nutt. PI. Gamb. 152.
58. Trifolium exile, Greene, Pittonia. i. 6.
59. Trifolium tridentatum, Lindl. Bot. Keg. t. 1070.
60. Trifolium microdon, Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech. 330
t. 79.
61. Trifolium microcephalum, Pursh, Fl. ii. 478.
62. Trifolium fucatum, Lind]. Bot. Keg. t. 1883.
63. Trifolium amplectens, Torr. k Gray, 1. c. 319.
64. Melilotus paryiflora, Desf. Fl. Atl. ii. 192.
65. Medicago denticulata, Willd ; DC. Prod. ii. 176.
66. Syrmatium dendroideum, Greene (see page 146).
67. Syrmatium patens, Greene (see page 147).
68. Syrmatium niveum, Greene (see page 148).
69. HosACKiA ? OCCULTA. Growing parts of the plant vil-
lous-canescent, the older glabrate and green: leaflets 6, one
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 395
of the lateral wanting, membranaceous, cuneate-oblong, an
inch long, the apex acute: flower and fruit unknown.
Here and there a seedling of this obscure but unquestion-
ably new species was found in gravelly dry beds of streams
in several parts of the island. I judge the perfect plant to
be a perennial or a shrub of the mountain sides or summits,
but I could never And it. An annual would have been in
fruit at the late summer time; but these gave no sign of
flower, even. The habit is rather that of Syrmatium, but
the leaves are too ample for that genus. I have named and
thus defined what I have of this variety, both hoping that
future search may be rewarded with perfect specimens, yet
fearing lest it be one of the insular species now on the verge
of extinction, like Syrmatium niveuni.
70. HosACiaA PARYiFLORA, Benth. Bot. Eeg. t. ]257.
71. HosACKiA STRIGOSA, Nfutt. ; Torr. & Gray. FL i. 226.
72. HoSACKlA MARITIMA, Nutt. 1. C.
73. HosACKiA SUBPINNATA, Toir. Sz Gray. 1. c.
74. HosACKiA PuRSHiANA, Benth. 1. c. — Only two or three
plants seen, and these near a Chinese fishing camp, at the
south side; so, no doubt of recent introduction.
75. Astragalus didymocarpus, Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech.
334. t. 81.
76. Astragalus leucopsis. Torr. & Gray, Bot. Mex.
Bound. 56. t. 16. — Southeastern shore; plentiful there, but
not elsewhere seen.
77. ViCLi Americana, IVCuhl.; Willd. Sp. iii. 1096.
78. ViCLA ExiGUA, Nutt.; Torr. & Gray, i. 272.
79. Lathyrus yestitus, Nutt. 1. c. 276. — Only one plant
seen, and that in a canon of tlie north side.
80. Pruxlts occidentali^, Lyon, Bot. Gaz. xi. 202 &
396 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
333. Tree 15 — 25 feet high, with compact and well rounded
head, the trunk with rough dark bark; evergreen; leaves
usually ovate-acuminate, 3 — 4 inches long, 2 — 2| inches
broad, entire or remotely denticulate, rarely lanceolate-
acuminate, 3 inches long, and | inch broad, sometimes
broadly ovate and abruptly acute, the margin spinose-serrate :
inflorescence racemose : drupe orbicular, slightly compressed
laterally, } inch in length and breadth, with a very conspic-
uous suture on one side, dark red-purple, the thin pulp
sweet, with also a bitter-almond flavor, but no acidity or
astringency: putamen thin, rather firm-cartilaginous than
ligneous.
Yery common on all parts of the island; only occasion-
ally exhibiting the very narrow leaves which I have de-
scribed : the spinose-serrate foliage mo.-tly appertaining
to young trees.
Mr. Lyon cites no place where Nuttall published such a
name as Prunus occidentalis, and I can find none. Moreover,
Nuttall in common with very many able botanists, held that
cherries and plums are of distinct genera, and this, if he
named it even in manuscript, he must have called Cerasiis
occiderdalis, rather than Prunus.
81. RuBUS URSINUS, Cham, and Schlect. Linna3a. ii. 11. —
Rare near the shore on the north side : apparently not yet
of fruiting age.
82. Cercocarpus betul^folius, Nutt.; Hook. Ic. t. 323.
Trees of ten 18 — 25 feet high, with clean trunk and smooth
light gray bark, the branches somewhat drooping, the whole
habit very unlike that of C. parvifolius: leaves not rarely 2J
inches long and IJ inches broad: young twigs with the odor
and flavor of the black birch, and it was doubtless in refer-
ence to this quality as much as to the morphology of the
foliage that Nuttall, who knew all about the tree, named it
(ungrammatically) C. betuloides.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 397
83. Adenostoma fasciculatum, Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech.
139. t. 30. — Common on hills everywhere, and much more
luxuriant and tall than on the mainland.
84. EosA Califoexica, Cham. & Schlect. Linna3a. ii. 35.
Common along streams.
85. Hetekomeles arbutifolia, Koemer, Syn. Monogr.
iii. 105. — The most common tree on all hillsides sloping
northward. It is never found in such abundance on the
mainland.
86. Lyoxothamnus asplexifolius, Greene, Bull. Cal.
Acad. i. 187 & ii. 149. t. 6.
87. Saxifeaga malv^folia, Greene, Bull. Torr. Club,
ix. 121.— Still known only in the specimens of Kellogg &
Harford.
88. Heucheea maxima, Greene. (See page 149.)
89. Kibes subvestitum, Hook. & Arn.?— A single bush,
not fruiting and seemingly young, was found in a deep canon
on the north side.
90. TiLLj^A MixiMA, Miers. Chil. ii. 530.
91. CoTYLEDOX LAXCEOLATA, Watson, Bot. Cal. i. 211.—
Abundant on cliffs near the sea.
92. Cotyledon laxa, Watson, 1. c, 212?— In canons back
from the sea; plants too large, and too little glaucous to be
well referable to this species.
93. Lythrum Califoexicum, Torr. & Gray, Fl. i. 482.—
Bare; found only in a springy place near the summit of the
island.
94. Zauschxeeia Califoexica, Presl. Rel. H^nk. ii. 28, t.
52. — Low hills of the northward slope; frequent.
95. Zauschxeeia villosa, Greene, Pittonia, i. 27.— Abun-
dant along stream banks in the interior.
398 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
96. Zauschneria cana, Greene, 1. c. 28. — AVith the last
and equally plentiful.
97. Epilobeium COLORATUM, Muhl. ; Willcl. Enum. i. 411.
Only one or two plants seen.
98. EuLOBUS Californicus, Nutt.; Torr. & Gray, Fl. i.
515. — In a dry sunny canon opening to the south, or the
north side; an enormous growth of the species, several
plants more than six feet high.
99. OENOTHERA HooKERi, Torr. & Gray, 1. c. 493. — Along
streamlets in the higher parts of the island; same as the
mainland plant commonly called a variety of (JE, biennis,
which it can hardly be.
100. (Enothera bistorta, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray, 1. c. i.
508.
101. (Enothera cheiranthifolia, Hornem. Bot. Eeg. t.
1040.
102. GoDETiA PURPUREA, Watson, Bot. Gal. i 229. — Fre-
quent in the interior valley on grassy slopes.
103. GoDETiA epilobioides, Watson, 1. c. 231. — North
side, in shady places; plentiful.
104. Glarkia elegans, Dou'^d.; Bot. Reg. t. 1575. — Ap-
parently scarce.
105. Mentzelia micrantha, Torr. <k Gray, Fl. i. 535. —
Frequent in sunny places in canons opening into Prisoner's
Harbor.
106. Echinocystis macrocarpa, Greene, Bull. Gal. Acad,
i. 188. — Gommon.
107. Echinocystis Guadalupensis, Gogniaux in DG.
Mon. Phan. iii. 819. — Abundant on the north side.
108. OpuntiaEngelmanni, Salm. var. (?) littoralip, En-
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 399
gelm. Bot. Cell, i, 248. — Abundant on open hills of the lower
parts of the island.
109. Mesembrianthemum .^quilaterale, Haw. Misc. Nat.
77. — In masses on high rocks overhanging the sea, on the
north side, common.
' 110. Mesembrianthemum crystallinum, Linn. Sp. PI.
480. — Common at the west end, but not seen elsewhere.
111. — Sanicula laciniata, Hook & Arn. Bot. Beech. 347.
A single specimen a little back from the shore, on the
north side.
112. CoNiUM MACULATUM, Linn. Sp. PL 243. — Bank of
stream near cultivated ground, seeming well established.
113. FcENicuLUM OFFICINALE, All. Fl. Pedem. ii. 25. —
Thoroughly established on hillsides near the landing of
Prisoner's Harbor.
114. Aplistrum ANGUSTIFOLIUM, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray, Fl.
i. 644.
115. Berula angustifoll\, Koch. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 433.
Springy places near the sea, in Laguna Canon on the south
side.
116. Peucedanum • ? On hillsides in the interior;
stem and leaves dead, the species consequently undetermin-
able.
117. Daucus pusillus, Michx. Fl. i. 164. — Yery abun-
dant and rank; often two feet high.
118. Sambucus glauca, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray, Fl. ii. 13.
Not common.
119. Symphoricarpus mollis, Nutt. 1. c. 4. — Like the
last occurring only here and there in open canons toward
the sea, on the north side.
400 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
120. LoNiCERA HISPIDULA, Dougl. ; Torr. & Gray, 1. c. 5.
Only one plant seen, and that with the two preceding
species.
121. LoNtcERA SUBSPICATA, Hook. & Am. Bot. Beech.
349. — South side ne ir the sea; frequent.
122. Galium aparine, Linn. Sp. PI. 157.
123. Galium angustifolioi, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray, I.e.
22. — Rocky places low down on the north side; not fre-
quent.
124= Galium flaccidum, Greene, Pittonia, i. 34.
125. Galium buxifolium, Greene (see page 150). — Near
G. Catalinense, Gray, bat foliage of different texture and
form, and the nodes of the stem lacking the " tumid ring "
of that species.
126. Brickellia Californica, Gray, PI. Fendl. 64. — In
sunny open places among the canons of the north side;
quite as shrubby as the New Mexican plant called B.
WrigJdii, which is doubtless the same thing, specifically at
least.
127. Grixdelia eobusta, Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc.
vii. 314. — Interior; not common.
128. Aplopappus squarrosus, Hook & Arn. Bot. Beech.
146. — Frequent southward in the interior.
129. BiGELOViA YEXETA. Gray, Syn. Fl. i. 2, 112.—
With the last and as frequent, but neither of them in any
abundance as on the mainland.
130. BiGELOYiA VEXETA, var. SEDOIDES. — Stems woody at
base but wholly prostrate and less than a foot long: leaves
obovate, coarsely serrate, thick and succulent: heads rather
large, crowded in a terminal corymb.
On the edges of low cliffs overhanging the sea, on the
north side of the island; at a short distance would be mis-
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 401
taken for a sedum; when fresh seeming like a very distinct
species of its genns; but the dried specimens go readily for
a form of B. veneta.
131. Solid AGO Californica, Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc.
vii. 327. — Rare; found in only two or three localities, on
the north side; specimens of prodigious size, some being
more than five feet high.
132. COEETHROGYNE FILAGINIFOLL\, Nutt. 1. C 290. —
Rather scarce; seen onl}^ in the interior,
133. Hazardta detonsa, Greene, Pittonia, i. 29.
134. Hazardia serrata, Greene, 1. c. 30.
135. Aster radulixus. Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. viii. 388.
Rather common in open places of the wooded northward
side.
136. Erigeron Canadensis, Linn. Sp. PL 863.— Only
one plant seen, and that not yet in flower.
137. Erigeron glaucus, Ker. Bot. Reg. t. 10. — Abun-
dant on cliffs all along the northern shore.
138. Erigeron stenophyllus, Nutt. PI. Gamb. 176;
Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad. i. 88, not of Gray. — Frequent on
the northern slope.
139. CoNYZA CouLTERi, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. vii. 355.
A fair growth of this plant, not yet in flower, was found
in a field of alfalfa, but fell by the sickle shortly after the
time of my observing it. It may thus have failed to be-
come established.
140. Baccharis consan guinea, DC. Prod. v. 408. — Not at
all common.
141. Baccharis Plummer^, Gray. Am. Acad. xv. 48. —
Growing luxuriantly in the caiion back of Prisoner's Harbor
landing.
28— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued May 28, 1887
402 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
142. Baccharis Douglasii, DC. 1. c. 400. — Not com-
mon.
143. Baccharis viminea, DC. 1. c. — Dry beds of streams
on the south side only, near the sea.
144. MiCROPUS Californicus, Fisch. & May. Ind. Sem.
Petrop. 1835, 42.
145. FiLAGO Californica, Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc.
vii. 405.
146. Gnaphalium Sprengelii, Hook & Arn. Bot. Beech.
150.
147. Gnaphalium ramosissimum, Nutt. PI. Gamb. 172.
148. Gnaphalium decurrens, var. Californicum, Gray,
Bot. Cal. i. 141.
149. Gnaphalium purpureum, Linn. Sp. PI. 854.
150. Ambrosia psilostachya, DC. 1. c. 526.
151. Franseria bipinnatifida, Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil.
Soc. vii. 507.
152. Xanthium Canadense, Mill. Diet. ed. 8. — One
plant, fruiting at a Chinese fishing camp near the southern
shore; at present therefore merely adventive.
153. Helianthus annuus, Linn. Sp. PI. 904. — In a grain
field; the native state of the plant.
154. Encelia Californica, Nutt. 1. c. 357. — Common
near the sea, on the south side.
155. Leptosyne gigantea, Kellogg, Proc. Cal. Acad. iv.
198. — Frequent on cliffs toward the sea on the north side,
but preferring islet rocks where sea fowls nest, in which
places it grows in greatest abundance. The plant is de-
scribed by sailors and fishermen as making a fine show dur-
ing its flowering season, which is said to be February and
March.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 403
156. Madia filipes, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. ix. 189.—
Abundant on the north side everywhere.
157. Hemizoxia fascioulata, Torr. & Gray, Fl. ii. 397. —
A low, somewhat congested form, on open grassy lands
tow^ard the sea, on the north side; abundant in its several
localities.
158. AcHYRACH^XA MOLLIS, Schauer. ; DC. 1. c. 292. — In
the interior only.
159. Layia platyglossa. Gray, PL Pendl. 103? — Not the
variety breviseta of the nearest mainland, but the pappus of
full length, and the awns manifestly flattened and broadest
above the base; very likely a distinct species, but the speci-
mens too old.
160. Yexegasia caepesioides, do. 1. c. v. 43. — Deep
canons on the north; frequent.
161. Perityle Fitchii, Torr. Pac. E. Bep. iv. 100.—
Clayey banks near the sea, on the south side: herbage resi-
nous-viscid and strongly aromatic, thus most readily dis-
tinguished from P. Californica, which is scentless and
nearly or quite glabrous.
162. B.ERIA Palmeri, var. Clementixa, Gray, Syn. Fl.
Suppl. 452. — Common on the north side, and variable in
size: pappus alike in ray and disk, the pale^e invariably
four only, in both the plant of Santa Cruz and that of San
Clemente, although this fact does not appear to have been
observed by the author. The same plant is common near
the shores of San Diego Bay, where I collected it in 1885;
also from the Coronados Islands I brought specimens of
what would appear to be the same, except that in these
there is no pappus at all.
163. Eriophyllum coxfertiflorum, Gray, Proc. Am.
Acad. xix. 25. — Frequent on the north side.
404 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
164. Ekiophyllum st^echadifolium, Lag. var. depressum,
stems stout, a foot long or less, depressed, forming a low
hemispherical tuft: leaves broad and with about two pairs
of divaricate linear-oblong lobes. A plant in aspect ex-
tremely unlike the continental type of the species; but the
flowers and fruit present no characters. Frequent on cliffs
near the sea, on the north side only.
165. Amblyopappus pusillus. Hook. &_Arn. Journ. Bot.
iii. 321. — Near the shores only.
166. Achillea Millefolium, Linn. Sp. PI. 899. — Only
on the north side, and rather scarce.
167. Artemisia Californica, Less. Linn^a. vi. 523. —
Frequent, but nowhere plentiful.
168. Artemisia Ludoviciana, Nutt. ; Torr. & Gray, Fl.
ii. 420. — The common Calif ornian form; but only one tuft
of it seen on the island; that on the north side.
169. Lepidospartum squamatum, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad,
xix. 50. — On a sandy tract in the interior.
170. Senecio Douglasii, DC Prod. vi. 429. — Interior;
only two shrubs of it seen, but these large and beautiful.
171. Cnicus LiLAOiNUS.i Near C. occidentalism but more
slender, much less tomentose, the leaves glabrate above:
heads smaller, the long herbaceous-acerose tips of the
bracts strongly incurved : corollas lilac-purple, short. — In-
terior of the island; infrequent.
172. SiLYBUM Marianum, Gsertn. Fruct. et Sem. PI. ii.
378. — Abundant in the sandy beds of the broader canons,
both north and south, forming thickets impenetrable at the
growing season of the year.
1 Mr. Parish has sent me from San Bernardino what must be the same
named by him as new, "(7. 7ieglectus; " but that name holds for an Old World
species.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 405
173. Centaurea Melitensis, Linn. Sp. PI. 917. — Not at
all prevalent as in the continental fields and waste places.
174. Perezia microcephala, Gray, PI. Wright, i. 127. —
Quite common at the north.
175. Stephanomeria elata, Nntt. PI. Gamb. 173 ?.^ —
Yery common on the north side; often six feet high.
176. Stephanomeria yirgata, Benth. Bot. Sulph. 32 ?.
As frequent on the south side of the island as the last is
at the north. Of different habit from the mainland plant
bearing this name; but akenes and pappus the same.
177. Stephanomeria tomentosa, Greene (see page 152).
178. Stephanomeria cichoriacea, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad»
V. 552. — Very common, in the crevices of high precipitous
ledges, chiefly in the interior.
179. Rafinesquia Californica, Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil.
Soc. vii. 429. — Yery common at the north.
180. Hypoch^ris glabra, Linn. Mant. 2. 460.
181. Calais linearifolia, DO. Prod. vii. 85. — Frequent,
as on the mainland, and in the same tall state (often more
than two feet high), which occurs about San Diego.
182. Oalais pluriseta, Greene, Pittonia. i. 34. — Plants
now growing from seed exhibit leaves laciniate-pinuatifid.
183. Malacothrix tenuifolia, Torr. & Gray, Fl. ii. 487.
Precipitous places near the sea, at the north; common.
184. Malacothrix incana, Torr. & Gray, 1. c. 486 (see
page 153).
185. Malacothrix indecora, Greene (see page 152).
•^ Precisely the same plau% whatever it be, was seen by m<^, ou my way
home from the islands growing abundantly, ou hillsides, at Port Harford,
in San Luis Obisj)0 county.
406 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
186. Malacothrix squalida, Greene (see page 152).
187. HiEKACiUM ARGUTUM, Niitt. Traiis. Am. Pliil. Soc.
yii. 447. — Common in bushy places at the north.
188. Troximon heterophyllum, Greene, Bull. Torr.
Club. X. 88.— The typical form.
189. SoNCHUS OLERACEUS, Linn. Sp. PI. 794.
190. SoNCHUs ASPER, Fuchs. Hist. 674 (a. d. 1542).
191. Specularia perfoljata, a. DC. Torr. Fl, N. Y. i.
428, t. 65.
192. Vaccinium ovatum, Pursh. Fl. i. 290. — Pine woods
at the summit of the island, toward the west end.
193. Arctostaphylos tomentosa, Dougl. Bot. Keg. t.
1791. — Forming low thickets near the summit, westward.
194. Arctostaphylos pungens, HBK. Nov. Gen. & Spec,
iii. 278. — Abundant, but at lower altitudes than the preced-
ing.
195. COMAROSTAPHYLIS THYEJXSiFOLix^Arctostaj^hi/los di-
versifoUa, Parry; Gray, Syn. Fl. Suppl. 397. — A handsome
small tree, 12 — 20 feet high, flowering in July, having the
external appearance, as well as the characteristic inflor-
escence of our northwestern arbutus, with no likeness at all
to the manzanitas; and, if fruit characters are of the value
attributed to them in these Ericaceaj generally, Comarosta-
phylis is a very good genus; otherwise this tree will be an
Arbutus, not an Arctostaphylos.
196. DoDECATHEON Jeffreyi, Moore, Fl. des Serres. xvi.
99, t. 1662. — Hillsides of the interior; common.
197. Samolus Valerandi, var. Americanus, Gray, Man.
ed. 2. 274. — Wet places, in deep gorges, under dripping
precipices, near the northern shores.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 407
198. ERyTHE,i:A Douglasii, Gray, Bot. Cal. i. 480.
199. GiLiA ATEACTYLOiDES. Steucl. Nom. i. 683.
200. GiLiA FiLiFOLiA, Nutt. PI. Gamb. 156.
201. GiLIA MULTICAULIS, Beiitli.
202. NE3I0PHILA RACEMOSA, Nutt.; Gray, Proc. Am. Acad.
X. 315.
203. EucPiiTTA CHEYSANTHEMiFOLiA, Greene, Bull. Cal.
Acad. i. 200.
204. Phacelia HI8PIDA, Gray, 2. i. 161.
205. Phacelia suffkutescens, Parry, Proc. Daveiip.
Acad. iv. 38.
206. Phacelia Parryi, Torr. Bot. Mex. Bound. 144.
207. Emmexanthe penduliflora, Benth. Trans. Linn.
Soc. xvii. 281.
208. Pectocarya penicillata, A. DC. Prod. x. 120. . .
209. Krynitzkia leiocarpa, Fisch.. & Mey. Sem. Petrop.
1835, 36.
210. Krynitzkia 3iicromeres, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. xx.
274.
211. Krynitzkia Jonesii, Gray, 1. c.
212. Plagiobothrys Californicus =^cAi(i{oca?'?/a Cali-
fornica, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. xii. 164 (1877); Plagiobothrys
Cooperi, Gray, 1. c. xx. 285 (1884).
213. Heliotropium Curassavicum, Linn. Sp. PI. 130.
214. Amsinckia lycopsoides, Lehm. Sem. Hamb. 1831, 7.
215. Amsinckia intermedia, Fisch. & Mey. Sem Potrop.
1835, 26.
408 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
216. Convolvulus macrostegius, Greene, Bull. Cal.
Acad. i. 208 — Abundant on the north side, suffrutescent,
the stems scarcely twining, but trailing several yards over
rocks and bushes. The peculiar inflorescence of this species
attains a very remarkable development on this island. The
flowers are arranged in a forked cyme, commonly five and
seven, sometimes eleven in eacii cyme, every flower being
separately large-foliaceous-bracted, a pair of somewhat
larger bracts subtending the whole cyme. The corollas are
developed, of course at the rate of one a day only, on each
fork of tlie cyme. They are little larger than those of C.
occidentalis, which is just as common at Santa Barbara on
the opposite side of the channel, but of which no trace is
found on the island.
217. Convolvulus arvensis, Linn. 1. c. 153. — In a field
near the principal settlement. Only a few plants, hence no
doubt of recent introduction.
218. CuscuTA subinclusa, Durand & Hilgard, Journ.
Acad. Philad. ser. 2. iii. 42. — Not at all frequent, and rather
depauperate.
219. SoLANUM DouGLASii, Dunal. DC. Prod. xiii. 48. —
Quite rare.
220. SoLANUM Xanti, var. Wallacei, Gray, Proc. Am.
Acad. xi. 90. — Frequent, but far less common than on
Guadalupe.
221. Datura meteloides,.DC. Prod. xiii. 544 — In canons
of the northern and western parts of the island.
222. Nicotiana Cleveland:, Gray, Syn. Fl. 242.— Like
the typical mainland form, and not approaching N. pet-
uiii(pJiora of Guadalupe.
223. LiNARiA Canadensis, Dum. Cbav. Mon. 149. —
224. Antirrhinum Nuttallianum, Bentli. DC. Prod. x.
592. — Rocky steeps, near the sea; common and very robust.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 409
225. Antirrhinum strictum, Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. vii.
375.
226. Pentstemon cordifolius, Benth. DC. Prod. x.
329. — With woody stems an inch thick, often climbing
twenty feet among the branches of trees.
227. DiPLACUS ARACHNOiDEUS, Greene, BulL Cal. Acad,
i. 210. — Common in the higher parts of the island.
228. DiPLACUS PARViFLORUS, Greene, Pittonia, i. 36.
229. MiMULUS CARDiNALis, Dougl. Lindl. Hort. Trans,
ii. 70. t. 3. — Common and extremely luxuriant under drip-
ping precipices and in deep canons of the north side.
230. MiMULUs FLORIBUNDUS, Dougl. Lindl. Bot. Keg. t.
1125. — But one plant seen; in a streamlet well toward the
summit.
231. MiMULUS NASUTus, Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad. i. 112.
Yery abundant on the north side, in shady ravines.
232. Castilleia affinis, Hook & Arn. Bot. Beech. 154.
Bare; near the summit.
233. Castilleia hololeuca, Greene, W. Am. Sc. iii. 3:
Pittonia. i. 38. — Common on hills of the interior; forming-
no small part of the brushwood in some places.
234. Orthocarpus densiflorus, Benth. DC. 1. c. 536. —
Grassy slopes in open ground, on the north side.
235. Aphyllon tuberosum, Gray, Bot. Cal. i. 585. — A
single specimen at the west eiid.
236. Verbena prostrata, E. Br. Hort. Kew. iv. 41. —
Only one small specimen, near the sea shore, on the north
side.
237. Sphacele fragrans, Greene, Pittonia. i. 38.
238. Salvia Columbarle, Benth. Lab. 302.
410 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
239. AuDiBERTiA Palmeri, Gray, Bot. Cal. i. 601. —
Widely dispersed, the bushes large and well formed, but
seldom met with, never growing in masses.
240. Stachys acuminata. — Stems 2 — 3 feet high, from
rootstocks, retrorsely scabrous or hispid on the very acute
angles: leaves ovate-acuminate, or triangular-lanceolate,
mostly cordate, coarsely crenate, 2 — 3 inches long, on pet-
ioles of an inch or more, deep green and glabrate above,
velvety -canescent beneath: spike naked, a foot or two long
in age, the 4 — 6 flowered verticils an inch apart: calyx-teeth
triangular, spine- tipped, less than half as long as the cam-
panulate tube: corolla light purple, more than a half inch
long, tube well exserted; lower lip about 4 lines long.
Among loose rocks of the northward slope: flowering in
July.
241. Plantago major, Camerarius, Epit. 261 (a. d.
1586); Linn. Sp. PI. 112 (a. d. 1753).— Near Prisoner's
Harbor Landing.
242. Plantago patagonica, Jacq. Ic. Ear. t. 306.
243. Eriogonum grande, Greene, Pittonia. i. 38.— All
parts of the island.
244. Eriogonum rubescexs, Greene, 1. c. 39. — Sandstone
clifts, at the western end.
245. Eriogonum arborescens, Greene, Bull. Cal. Acad,
i. 11. — Common on hillsides of the northward slope, and in
precipitous rocky places of all the canons; about six feet
high when well grown, shrubby and evergreen, forming a
rounded and compact bush.
246. EuMEX SALiciFOLius, AVeinm. DC. Prod. xiv. 47.
247. Kumex crispus, Linn. Sp. PI. 335.
248. Eumex maritimus, Linn. 1. c.
249. Eumex conglomeratus, Murr. Prod. Fl. Goett. 52.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 411
250. Polygonum aticulaee, Linn. 1. c. 362.
251. Chorizanthe staticoides, Bentb. Linn. Trans, xvii.
418.
252. Pteeostegla. deymaeioides, Fiscli. & Mey. Sem.
Petrop. ii. 23.
253. MiEABiLis Califoknica, Gray, Bot. Mex. Bound. 173.
254. Abeoxl^ maeitima, Nutt.; Bot. Gal. ii. 4.— Abund-
ant on all strips of beach occurring- along the southern
shore.
255. Abronl\ xjmbellata, Lam. 111. i. 469. t. 105,
256. Amaeantus albus, Linn. Sp. PI. ed. 2. 1404.
257. Chenopodium mueale, Linn. Sp. PI 219.
258. Chenopodium album, Linn. 1. c.
259. Chenopodium ambrosioides, Linn. 1. c. — This and
the three preceding weeds were seen in only a few speci-
mens of each; none of them being thoroughly established,
260. Chenopodium Califoenicum, Watson. Bot. Cal.
ii. 48.
261. Ateiplex miceocaepa, Dietr. Syn. v. 536.— Fre-
quent on the south side near the sea.
262. Ateiplex leucophylla, Dietr. 1. c— At the west
end only.
263. Ateiplex Californica, Moq. DC. Prod. xiii'. 98.
Eocky islets off the northern^ shore; also, in a remarkably
robust fleshy form, at the west end.
264. Ateiplex Beeweei, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad. ix.
119. — Southern shore.
265.— Su^ida Toereyana, Watson, 1. c. 88.— At the west
end, abundant.
412 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
266. Urtica holosericea, Nutt. PL Gamb. 183. — Seen
in but two or three localities, not far from the shore, on the
north side.
267. Urtica urens, Linn. Sp. PI. 984.
268. Parietaria debilis, Forst. Prod. Fl. Austral. 73.
269. Eremocarpus setigerus, Benth. Bot. Sulph. 53. t.
26. — Abundant in fields; perhaps brought in with seed of
grain.
270. EiciNUS COMMUNIS, Linn. Sp. PI. 1007.— Growing
spontaneously along the hills back from the landing, form-
ing small trees. It is also thoroughly naturalized on stream
banks in the vicinity of Santa Barbara on ihe mainland.
271. Salix l^vigata, Bebb. Bot. Cal. ii. 83. — Fine trees
in many of the canons at the north.
272. Salix longifolia, Muhl. DC. Prod, xvi^ 214.— One
bush, in flower, at the south side near the shore.
273. Salix lasiolepis, Benth. PI. Hartw. 335.— With
the last; a very pubescent form.
274. PoPULUS TRiCHOCARPA, Torr. Hook. Ic. t. 878. —
Frequent in deep canons at the north side; also more rarely
at the south.
275. Quercus dumosa, Nutt. Sylv. i. 7. — Very common
at the north; the smaller specimens of the open hill country
frequently with spikes erect, and many of the flowers per-
fect, yielding a spike of a dozen acorns.
276. Quercus chrysolepis, Liebm. Dansk. Yidensk. For-
handl. 1854, 173. — At the north, near the summit; not com-
mon.
277. Quercus tomentella, Engelm. Trans. St. Louis,
Acad. iii. 393 — Frequent; the trees smaller than on Guad-
alupe.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 413
278. QuERCUS AGRIFOLIA. Liebm. 1. c. — A beautiful
growth of this tree in every valley and broad canon: also
on the higher northern slope, on open hill tops, a more re-
duced and compacted form with all, or nearly all, the flow-
ers perfect, and acorns consequently spicate.
279. QuERCus PARTULA, Greene, Pittonia. i. 40.
280. PiNUS iNSiGNis, Dougl. var. binata, Engelm. Bot.
Cal. ii. 128. — Small trees, growing in a scattered way along
the northward slope, but forming dense forests toward the
summit and at the western end of the island.
281. Habexaria elegans, Bolander, Cat. PI. San Fran-
cisco, 29. — Frequent on wooded hills at the north.
282. SiSYRiNCHiUM BELLUM, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad,
xii. 277. — Interior only.
283. Bloomerea aurea, Kellogg, Proc. Cal. Acad. ii. 11.
Common on the north side, but extremely abundant in the
interior; see page 386.
284. Brodeea insularis, Greene (see page 134).
285. LiLiUM HuMBOLDTii, Eoezl & Leicht. ; Duchartre,
Obs. 105. — Very common in woods everywhere.
286. Calochortus . A species of the Cyclo-
hotJira section; common in woods of the north side; long
past flowering, and not to be identified specifically.
287. Calochortus . A species of the true Calo-
cliortus (perhaps, indeed, several species); abundant on
grassy slopes of the interior.^
288. Zygadenus Fremonti, Torr. Pac. E. Kep. vii. 20.
289. Typha bracteata. Eather slender, 15 — 18 feet
high, the staminate and pistillate spike each 12 — 16 inches
long, separated by an interval of an inch or more, aggre-
gate length of spike in the largest specimens fully 3 feet,
414 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
tlie staminate at flowering time subtended and partly em-
braced by a linear deciduous bract of its own length, and
bearing 3 — 7 smaller somewhat scarious caducous ones
above midway or near the apex: pollen simple.
In a marshy place near the sea on the south side, above
the mouth of Laguna Canon. A gigantic species, and one
wdiich will doubtless be found on the mainland southward,
whenever our collectors shall cease to pass this genus by as
one not meriting their care or notice. These insular plants
w^ere not out of flower at the late date of my finding them,
namely, the 13th of August; but there was evidence that the
mature spike would be an inch at least in thickness.
290. ZosTERA MAEiNA, Linn. Sp. PI. 968. — Found on the
beach at the landing.
291. Phyllospadix Torreyi, Watson, Proc. Am. Acad,
xiv. 303. — Abundant on rocks below tide mark along the
northern shores.
292. JuNCUS Balticus, Dethard, Reichenb. Ic. Fl. Ger.
ix. t. 411. — Interior; frequent.
293. JuNCus EFFUSUS, Linn. Sp. PL 326. — On the south
side; rare.
294. JuNCUs BUFONius, Linn. 1. c. 328.
295. Carex . Dry hills among bushes, long
past fruiting.
296. Carex angustata, Boot. Hook. Fl. ii. 218. — Along
streams in the northern canons. ^
297. Phalaris Canariensis, Linn. 1. c. 54.
298. PoLYPOGON MoNSPELiENSis, Desf. Reichenb. 1. c.
i. 15. t. 91.
299. MuHLENBERGiA DEBiLis, Trin. Agrost. ii. 49.
300. Stipa . Apparently an undescribed species,
but specimens too old.
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 415
301. AvENA FATUA, Linn. 1. c. 80.
302. Melica imperfecta, Trin. Icon. Gram. t. 355.
303. DiSTiCHLis SFiCA.TA=^Uniola spicata, Linn: D. mari-
tima, Raf. Journ. Phys. Ixxxix. 104.
304. Bromus .
305. Elymus condensatus, Presl. Eel. Haenk. i. 265.
306. Agropyrum repens, Beauv. Reiclienb. Ic. t. 120.
307. HoRDEUM MURixuM, Linn. I. c. 85.
308. Festuca Myurus, Linn. 1. c. 74.
309. Equisetum . The specimens do not match
any of our mainland forms, and possibly two species are
represented.
310. PoLYPODiuM Californicum, Kaulf. Enum. 102.
311. Pelkea Ornithopus, Hook. Sp. Fil. ii. 143. t. 116.
312. Pell^a andromed^efolia, Fee. Gen. Fil. 129.
313. Cheilanthes Californica, Metten. Cheil. 44.
314. NOTHOLxENA CANDIDA, Hook. 1. C. 116.
315. Pteris aquilina, Linn. 1. c. 1075.
316. Adiantum pedatum, Linn. 1. c. 1095.— A fine growth
of this most beautiful fern (rare in California), in one of
the principal canons of the north side.
317. Adiantum Capillus-Yeneris, Linn. 1. c. 1096.
318. WooDWARDiA RADiCANS, Smith. Mem. Acad. Turin
V. 412.
319. AspiDiUM MUNiTUM, Kaulf. Enum. 326.
320. AspiDiUM RiGiDUM, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 53.
416 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
321. AspiDiUM . A fern of more delicate text-
ure than the preceding number, not well in fruit.
3. Ihree Neio Species.
HoRKELiA Kelloggii. Stems stout, ascending or nearly
prostrate, a foot long or more, from a thick ligneous, very
branching caudex : leaves of 5 — 7 pairs of obovate, coarsely
and rather deeply toothed leaflets: calyx-tube cupuliform, a
line deep and 2 J lines broad; segments lanceolate, about
3 lines long, fully equalled by the oblong bracteoles : petals
3 lines long, spatulate-oblong, clear white: the subulate
filaments also white, the 5 opposite the petals perceptibly
shorter than the other 5. — H. (Jalifoniica, var. sericea, Gray,
Proc. Am. Acad. vi. 529; Bot. Cal. i. 181.
Most distinct from H. Califormca in habit as well as in
the color of the flowers and the very dissimilar proportions
of tube and limb of the calyx. In that species the tube is
not barely campanulate (much farther from cupuliform), it
is even somewhat urceolate, and nearly equal to the limb
itself in length. The peculiar pubescence of the present
plant is a good character, and the only one heretofore men-
tioned by authors. The species is apparently very local,
being now confined, in so far as I can discover, to two or
three town lots, which still remain unoccupied, in the west-
ern part of Alameda, hence it is destined to an early extinc-
tion, unless some new locality can be discovered for it. The
lots in which it is now growing are of a sand}^ soil and form
part of a bluff little elevated above the beach. H. Cali-
formca is a common plant of the wooded hills on both sides
of the Bay of San Francisco. The plant was originally dis-
covered by the late Dr. Albert Kellogg, and may appropri-
ately be dedicated to him who has so lately passed from
among us.
HoRKELiA Parryi. Caesj^itose, the slender stems 6 — 10
inches high: herbage green, and with a sparse soft pubes-
cence and some glands about the inflorescence: leaflets
BOTANY OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. 417
cuneate-obovate, toothed or cleft chieily at the apex: cymes
very loose: calyx altogether rotate, with no tube; bracteoles
narrow and only half as long as the broadly-lanceolate seg-
ments: petals obovate-oblong, not nnguiculate, but nar-
rower at base, 3 lines long, far surpassing the calyx, clear
white: filaments all subulate, those opposite the petals only
I the length of the other 5.
lone, xlmador county: collected long ago by Mr. Harry
Edwards, and more recently by Mrs. Curran, and by Dr.
Parry. A very pretty species, with showy flowers, which
are altogether those of an ordinary Potentilla, save that
the filaments are very strongl}^ dilated; and the genus, as
most authorities now think, is rather artificial, and should
perhaps be suppressed, following Bentham and Hooker.
Convolvulus Bixghami^. Perennial from creeping root-
stocks, the stems 3 — 6 feet long, twining or trailing : leaves
glabrous, oval or oblong, rather abruptly acute, the base
with a pair of obtuse parallel or very little divergent has-
tate lobes: peduncles 1-flowered: bracts oval to narrowly
oblong, 4 lines long, flat and closely subtending and ap-
pressed to the calyx, which they are too small to half con-
ceal : catyx 6 — 8 lines long : corolla pure white : stamens
rather short, the tips of the anthers attaining to the base
only of the linear stigmas.
In marshy places about Burton's Mound, in the city of
Santa Barbara; collected in 1886, by Mrs. R. F. Bingham,
and the writer. Its rhizomatous subterranean parts place
it in close affinity with C. sepiuin, from which its peculiar
bracts well distinguish it, and remove it far enough from
the two suffrutescent species which are most common in the
western parts of California, namely, G. occidentalis and C.
luteohis. These two most distinct species have been very
unfortunately run into one by their author, in the Synopti-
cal Flora Supplement. Perhaps some imperfect specimens
of the plant here defined as new may have led to this con-
fusion; for the author speaks of some in which the bracts
29— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued June 3, 1887.
418 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
are "obloug and barely equalling" the calyx. They are
often narrowly oblong, but they are always shorter than the
calyx and never broad enough to come near covering it.
This plant being removed, I may speak positively to the
eifect that there are no transitions between C. occidentalis
and C. luteolus. In the former the broad, carinate-con-
duplicate leafy bracts are inserted close under the calyx,
which they wholly conceal. In the latter the bracts are
merety subulate small affairs, always situated at the good
distance of a half inch or more below the calyx, their tips
not reaching its base. The flowers of the former are one
third larger, and their anthers equal or surpass the stigmas,
while in C. luteolus the tips of the anthers come up only to
the base of the stigma. The latter is a poor twiner, pre-
ferring to spread about over the ground or low bushes;
although in age, like a grape vine, it will spread over the
head of a small oak and hide it with its profusion of leaves
and flowers. G. occideu talis, although it becomes shrubby
or woody, is from first to last a close i winer, never trailing
about, but its stems and branches always spirally twisted
around their support : and finally, the two have each its own
geographical limits. C. occidentalis is wrongly credited to
the San Francisco region. I do not know of its occurrence
north of Monterey, nor of the existence of C. luteolus south
of that point. The corollas of both have an uncommon
durability among those of their kindred. Those of C. lute-
olus I have long observed to gather up their folds loosely at
nightfall of their first day, and unfold them again in the
morning for the whole of the second day; and they com-
monly acquire a deep shade of purple for this second day
of their existence. And now that I have the two species
growing side by side at Berkeley, I find that the southern
species, C. occidentalis, does the same, except that the corol-
las do not very perceptibly change their hue for the second
day. I should perhaps say here that the corollas of the
new C. Biiighamice, like those of their ally, 0. sepium, last
for one day only.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 419
ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
BY W. OTTO EMERSON.
The months of January, February and March, 1884, found
me storm-bound on the Volcano Mou7itains, about seventy-
five miles northeast of San Diego. The intervals between
January 15-20 and between April 6-28 were spent in Poway
Valley, twenty-two miles north of San Diego.
The Volcano Mountains seem to be a spur from the main
range, rising about 5,000 feet above sea level. Eastward
as far as the eye can see lies the so-called desert. West-
ward among the valleys and tablelands (mesas) the country
is sparsely settled. The western side of the range is well
timbered with several species of oaks, while towards the
north, dark, heavy belts of timber are seen.
Poway Valley is surrounded by high rolling hills; these
in many places are bare and rocky; again, covered with
patches of cacti. Black and white sage is the principal veg-
etation covering the sides of the many ravines. Very few
trees of any kind are seen; these comprise oaks, elders, oc-
casional sycamores and clumps of willows. The elders grow
very large, the berries furnishing food for Robins, Mocking-
birds, Bluebirds, House Finches, and others. The sycamores
are the habitation of several species of rapacious birds.
Numerous kinds of cacti are found, the one known as cholla
being used by many birds to^build their nests in.
In the present paper it is intended to show the relative
abundance of the various species found on the Volcano
Mountains in winter; also those of Poway Valley in winter,
and of the latter place after the spring migrants had begun
to arrive. The lists are somewhat incomplete, owing to my
ill health preventing observations during the severest
weather. The winter was an unusually severe one on the
420 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
mountains, snow often covering tlie ground to the depth of
two feet. Nine inches fell during one night.
I am under obligations to Dr. J. G. Cooper and Mr. Kob-
ert Ridgway for identifying several of the species included
in these lists. Specimens were taken of all excepting Golden
Eagle, Turkey Buzzard, Crow, and Sandhill Crane.
Arriving on the mountains in January, bird life was met
with in profusion, scattered among the trees and bushes, no
storms having yet occurred to drive them down to the val-
leys or confine them to sheltered flats along the creeks.
After the first hard rain storm they commenced moving
lower down, and the first fall of snow, towards the latter
part of January, sent them hurrying to the warmer valleys.
The species taken or seen on the mountains were as fol-
lows:
1. Grus mexicana.
Sandhill Cbane. — A large flock was seen flying north-
ward March 16th, and another on March 20th.
2. Oreortyx pictus plumiferus.
Plumed Paetridge. — A bevy of forty or more was seen in
January. They were not as common as the Valley Par-
tridge.
3. Callipepla californica vallicola.
Valley Partridge. — Abundant. This species withstands
the cold and snow far better than its larger relative. The
Plumed Partridge became scarce after the first heavy fall of
snow, having gone to a lower altitude to winter.
4. Gathartes aura.
Turkey Vulture, — Only noticed on one occasion, when
eight or nine were seen circling above the main ridge (Feb-
ruary 22d).
5. Accipiter velox.
Sharp-shinned Hawk. — One seen February 22d.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 421
6. Accipiter cooperi.
Cooper's Hawk. — Tolerably common.
7. Buteo borealis calurus.
Western Red-tail. — Common. Eggs were brought to
me as early as February 20fcli.
8. Archibuteo ferrugineus.
Ferrugineus Rough-leg. — A male was shot February
25th, at the foot of the mountains, by my friend Mr. Fred.
Paine.
9. Aquila chryssetus.
Golden Eagle. — Seen flying on several occasions. No
doubt breeds in this vicinit3\
10. Falco sparverius.
American Sparrow Hawk.— One bird was seen March 1st.
11. Bubo virginianus subarcticus.
Western Horned Owl. — Sometimes heard calling at dusk
from some oaks near the house.
12. Dryobates villosus harrisii.
Harris's Woodpecker.— One male taken.
13. Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi.
Californian Woodpecker. —Common. In stormy weather
remaining concealed in the oaks, but on sunny days coming
about, with their glad ekitp, ekup, ekup.
14. Colaptes cafer.
Red-shafted Flicker. — Rare on the mountains.
15. Trochilus anna.
Anna's Hummingbird. — A male flew past the house the
morning of March lltli, hurrying to leave a place where
the snow lay over everything.
16. Otocoris alpestris rubea.
Ruddy Horned Lark. — Common on open flats.
422 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
17. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis.
Blue-fronted Jay. — Common at all times.
18. Aphelocoma californica.
California Jay. — Common. More social than the Blue-
fronted Jay, coming about the corrals and sheds for scat-
tered corn, and often going to the feed boxes to help them-
selves. Specimens which were taken differ considerably
from the same species found at Hay wards, Cal., being
smaller and somewhat different in color.
19. Corvus americanus.
American Crow. — Two or three pairs were seen about the
ranch during the winter. A large colon}^ had nesting sites
in some willows at the foot of the mountain in the spring.
20. Sturnella magna neglecta.
AYestern Meadowlark. — Rarely seen on the mountains.
21. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus.
Brewer's Blackbird. — Three males came around the
house during a snow storm on February 11th; a female was
seen on March 20th.
22. Carpodacus frontalis rhodocolpus.
Crimson House Finch. — Not common. Heard one sing-
ing on February 22d.
23. Spinus lawrencei.
Lawrence's Goldfinch. — A small flock was seen twice in
January.
24. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus.
"Western Saa^anna Sparrow. — A single specimen was
taken March 9th.
25. Chondestes grammacus strigatus.
Western Lark Sparrow. — Common in flocks about open
ground.
26. Zonotrichia gambeli.
Gambel's Sparrow. — Common.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 423
27. Zonotrichia coronata.
Golden Crowned SPARpo^Y. — Tolerably common. Associ-
ated with Gambel's Sparrow.
28. Junco hyemalis oregonus.
Oregon Junco. — Common.
29. Melospiza fasciata heermanni.
Heermann's Song Sparrow. — Eare.
30. Melospiza lincolni.
Lincoln's Sparrow. — The only individual seen was taken
January 25th.
31. Passerella iliaca unalaschoensis.
Tow^nsend's Sparrow. — Common. A specimen which Mr.
Eidgwaj' has identified approaches closel}' to the variety
megarhynclui in size of bill and coloration.
32. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx.
Spurred Towhee. — Common. Could be heard singing
on any clear morning from the top of low bushes.
33. Pipilo fuscus crissalis.
JCalifornian Towhee. — Common.
34. Tachycineta thalassina.
Yiolet-green Swallow, — ^First seen March 17th, early in
the morning, but finding five inches of snow on the ground
they circled about for three hours and then disappeared,
returning April 1st, wdien I noticed them resting on bare
oak twigs.
35. Dendroica auduboni.
Audubon's Warbler. — Was seen February 22d, towards
the foot of the mountains.
36. Harporhynchus redivivus.
Californian Thrasher. — Heard singing on March 9th.
424 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
37. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii.
Parkman's Wren. — One specimen was taken Januai^y 24th ,
and another seen on the 28th.
38. Sitta carolinensis aculeata.
Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Seen and lieard singing
every day. Appeared to be looking for nesting sites March
1st.
39. Parus inornatus.
Plain Titmouse. — Common. The males were singing the
latter part of March.
40. Parus gambeli.
Mountain Chickadee. — Common. Noticed them singing
March 1st.
41. Psaltriparus minimus californicus.
Oalifornian Bush-Tit. — Seen February 24th, during a
heavy snow storm, with a flock of the Mountain Chickadee.
42. Regulus calendula.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Two birds were seen the last of
March.
43. Myadestes townsendii.
Townsend's Solitaire. — Only two or three were seen.
44. Tardus aonalaschkae.
Dwarf Hermit Thrush. — Rare. None were seen after
February 22d.
45. Merula migratoria propinqua.
Western Eobin. — Common wherever the ground was bare
and soft.
46. Sialia mexicana.
Western Bluebird. — Common. Mated by March 1st.
I left the Volcano Mountains on April 2d, and went into
camp the same day at the foot of the mountains, on my re-
turn to Powav Valley. About dusk two Russet-backed
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 425
Thrushes were seen. Ou entering the Santa Isabel Valle}^
next day, the Arkansas Kingbird was found in pairs perched
upon dry weed-stalks. Crimson House Finch, Western
Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark and Brewer's Black-
bird, were common through the green fields, while the air
above was merry Avith the twntter of many Clitf Swallows.
Lower in the valley the following were seen: American
Sparrow Hawk, Western Ked-Tail, Bullock's Oriole, Purple
Martin, Audubon's and Pileolated Warblers. On the plains
I noticed Western Savanna Sparrow, Western Lark Sparrow,
Crimson House Finch, Yellow-headed and Bicolored Black-
birds, flocks of Mountain Plover and Euddj^ Horned Lark.
A few pairs of Ash-throated Flycatchers, a species which ar-
rives late, showed that the spring migration to San Diego
county was far advanced. Cliff Swallows had commenced
building under the eaves of an adobe house, and about a
moist spot of ground several Killdeers were feeding The
lonesome notes of the Poor-will could be heard almost con-
tinually throughout the night.
In the following list of the birds of Poway Valley, seen or
taken by me in April, I have included in their order those
noticed in January. Such \sdnter bird^ are indicated by ■^.
1. -ffigialitis vocifera.
KiLLDEER. — Tolerably common. Breeds.
*2. Callipepla californica.
California PARTRfDGE. — Yery plentiful among the cacti.
*3. Zenaidura macroura.
Mourning Dove. — Tolerably common.
4. Pseudog:ryphus californianus.
California Vulture. — I hardly expected to have the good
fortune to see this rare bird, but one day I heard a sound,
as of wind coming through the oaks, and saw a large shadow
passing over the ground. Soon tliis bird of immense wings
426 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
went sailing by towards the mountains. I had time to note
the bare, bright colored head, outstretched from the body,
and then he was gone. This rare species is now confined
to the mountains back from the coast. I have been told by
Mr. Henry Chapman (now deceased) that they were once
common in San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys.
5. Accipiter velox.
Shakp-shinned Hawk. — One specimen was taken in eTanu-
ary. Not afterwards seen.
*6. Buteo borealis calurus.
Western Eed-tail. — Common in the vicinity of trees.
7. Falco sparverius.
Ameeican Sparrow Hawk. — Common.
8. Strix pratincola.
American Barn Owl. — A few seen at dusk among oaks.
9. Bubo virginianus subarcticus.
Western Horned Owl. — Common.
*10. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea.
Burrowing Owl. — Common. Fresh eggs were taken
April 23d.
11. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii.
Gairdner's Woodpecker. — Common among oak trees.
*12. Colaptes cafer.
Red-shafted Flicker. — Common.
13. Phalaenoptilus nuttalli.
Poor-will. — Tolerably common.
14. Chordeiles virginianus henryi.
Western Nighthawk. — Common.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 427
15. Trochilus alexandri.
Black-chinned Hummingbird.— Commou. More so than
any other of this genns. Fresh eggs were taken, and half-
fledged young found April 23d.
16. Trochilus anna.
Anna's Hummingbird. — Eare. One male seen.
17. Trochilus rufus.
KuFOUS Hummingbird. — Rare.
18. Tyrannus verticalis.
Arkansas Kingbird. — Common. Nests were ready to re-
ceive eggs by the last of April.
*19. Tyrannus vociferans.
Cassins Kingbird. — Common. Nests about the same time
as the Arkansas Kingbird, but the eggs are not distinguish-
able from those of that species.
20. Myiarchus cinerascens.
Ash-throated Flycatcher. — One pair seen.
*21. Sayornis nigricans.
Black Phgebe. — Common. Eggs taken April 27th.
22. Empidonax difficilis.
Baird's Flycatcher. — Was noticed only once, on April
8th.
*23. Otocoris alpestris rubea.
Ruddy Horned Lark. — Tolerably common. Incubated
eggs were found April 20th.
24. Aphelocoma californica.
California Jay. — Commou.
428 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
25. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.
Yellow- HEADED Blackbird. — Seen in small flocks. The
male has an odd way of throwing his head to one side when
singing.
26. Agelaius gubernator.
BicoLORED Blackbird. — Common.
27. Agelaius tricolor.
Tricolored Blackbird. — Tolerably common.
*28. Sturnella magna neglecta.
Western Meadowlark. — Tolerably common.
29. Icterus cucullatus nelsoni.
Arizona Hooded Oriole. — Common. Nests in gum trees
were completed by the last of April. From the appearance
of specimens taken I should judge that it required from tAvo
to three years for the males to attain full plumage.
30. Icterus bullocki.
Bullock's Oriole. — Common. Not found near the vicin-
ity of the nesting places of the Hooded Oriole.
31. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus.
Brewer's Blackbird. — Very common. Nests in pepper
trees. One nest taken April 17th contained seven eggs.
*32. Carpodacus frontalis rhodocolpus.
Crimson House Finch. — Nest and fresh eggs taken April
18th.
*33. Spinus psaltria.
Arkansas Goldfinch. — Tolerably common. Fed on young
oak buds.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAX DIEGO COUNTY. 429
34. Spinus lawrencei.
Lawrence's Goldfinch.— Common. Found large young
and fresli eggs April 23d.
'35. Poocaetes gramineus confinis.
Western Yesper Sparrow. — Tolerably common.
""36. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus.
Western Savanna Sparrow. — Tolerably common.
*37- Chondestes grammacus strigatus.
Western Lark Sparrow. — Common among clumps of
cactus. Fresh eggs taken April 20tli.
"^38. Zonotrichia gambeli.
Gambel's Sparrow. — Common.
39. Spizella socialis arizonae.
Western Chipping Sparrow. — Heard singing.
40. Amphispiza belli.
Bell's Sparrow. — Tolerably common. Keeps among thick
brush.
*41. Pipilo fuscus crissalis.
Californian Towhee. — Tolerably common. Was build-
ing by the middle of April.
42. Habia melanocephala.
Black-headed Grosbeak. — A single male was seen.
43. Passerina amoena.
Lazuli Bunting. — Kare.
44. Petrochelidon lunifrons.
Cliff Swallow. — Common. •
430 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
45. Tachycineta thalassina.
YiOLET-GREEN S WALLOW. — About ten birds were seen fly-
ing in a northerly direction April iOtli.
*46. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.
White-eumped Shrike. — Common.
47. Vireo gilvus.
Warbling Yireo. — Was seen singing in the oaks.
48. Dendroica sestiva.
Yellow Warbler. — Eare. One male seen.
*49. Dendroica auduboni.
Audubon's Warbler. — A few seen in April.
50. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis.
Western Yellow Throat. — Eare.
*51. Mimus polyglottus.
Mockingbird. — Could be heard singing morning and even-
ing, and often on moonlight nights.
52. Harporhynchus redivivus.
Califorian Thrasher. — Quite common throughout the
low hills.
53. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus.
Cactus Wren. — Common. A nest and fresh eggs taken
April 18th.
54. Salpinctes obsoletus.
EocK Wren. — Tolerably common in suitable localities.
55. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii.
Parkman's Wren. — Common.
ORNITHOLOGY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. 431
""56. Chamaea fasciata.
Wren-tit. — Tolerably common.
57. Psaltriparus minimus californicus.
Californian Bush-Tit. — Found a nest with young, April
23d.
58. Hegulus calendula.
KuBY-CROWNED KiNGLET. — A male was seen April 27tli.
59. Polioptila caerulea.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Rare. Two males were taken
in January.
60. Turdus aonalaschkae.
Dwarf Hermit Thrush. — Tolerably common in January.
Fed upon the berries of the pepper tree.
*61. Merula migratoria propinqua.
Western Eobin. — Was seen in the valley April 28th.
62. Sialia mexicana.
Western Bluebird. — Very common among the pepper
trees during my visit in January.
63. Sialia arctica.
Mountain Bluebird. — A few seen about a plowed field in
January. I was told that it was the first time that they had
been seen in the valley.
432 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
DESMIDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
IDENTIFIED BY REY. FRANCIS WOLLE.
List of Desmids, etc., collected by Mrs. Hansen and Miss
Haggin near Lake Talioe, Aug., 1886:
1. Hyalotheoa mucosa (Mert.), Ralfs.
2. Bambusina Brebissonii, Kg.
3. Desmidium Baileyi, Ralfs.
4. Sph^rozosma excayatum, Ralfs.
5. SPHiEROZOSMA SERRATUM, Bailey.
6. Penium digitus (Elirb.), Breb.
7. Penium minutum, Cleve.
8. Penium curtus, Kirch.
9. Closterium acerosum (Sclirank.), Ehrb.
10. Closterium Dian^, Ehrb.
11. Closterium paryulum, Naeg.
12. Closterium pronum, Delp.
13. Closterium rostratum, Ehrb.
14. Closterium setaceum, Ehrb.
15. DociDiUM Baculum, D. By.
16. DociDiUM minutum, Ralfs.
17. COSMARIUM ACULEATUM, Wolle.
18. CosMARiUM AMCENUM, Breb.
19. CosMARiuM BiocuLATUM, Breb.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 433
20. CosMARiuM Brbbissonii, Menegh.
21. COSMARIUM CONTRA CTUM, Kircll.
22. COSMARIUM CRENATUM, Ralfs.
23. COSMARIUM cucuMis, Corcla.
24. COSMARIUM EXIGUUM, Arcli.
25. COSMARIUM MARGARITIFERUM, Meiiegll.
26. CosMARiuM MENEGHiNii, Breb.
27. COSMARIUM MONILIFORME, Ralfs.
28. CosMARiUM NiTiDULUM, DeNot.
29. COSMARIUM ORNATUM, Ealfs.
30. COSMARIUM ORTHOSTICUM, Limd.
31. COSMARIUM PACHYDERMUM, Luild.
32. CosMARiUM PSEUDOTAXICHONDRUM, Nord. — a forin.
33. COSMARIUM PYRAMiDATUM, Breb.
34. COSMARIUM QUADRATUM, Ralfs.
35. COSMARIUM Ealesii, Breb.
36. CosMARiuM RHOMBUSOiDES, Wolle, n. sp.
37. COSMARIUM SUBLOBATUM, Arch.
38. COSMARIUM TETRAOPHTHALMUM (Kg.), Breb.
39. COSMARIUM TRiPLiCATUM, Wolle — a form.
40. CosMARiUM TUMiDUM, Lund.
41. Xanthidium ANTiLOPiEUM (Breb.), Kg.
80— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 7. Issued June 16, 1887.
434 DESMIDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
42. Xanthidium ckistatum (Breb.), Ralfs.
43. Xanthidium fasciculatum (Elirb.), Ralfs.
44. Aethrodesmus conyergens (Ehrb.), Ralfs.
45. Arthrodesmus ovalis, Wolle.
46. Arthrodesmus subulatus, Kg.
47. EUASTRUM BINALE (Turpiii), Ralfs.
48. EuASTRUM ELEGANS, Kg.
49. EUASTRUM INERME, Luild.
50. EuASTRUM SIMPLEX, Wolle.
51. EuASTRUM SPINOSUM, Ralfs.
52. MiCRASTERIAS FURCATA (Kg.), Ralfs.
53. MiCRASTERIAS PINNATIFIDA (Kg.), Ralfs.
54. MiCRASTERIAS RADIOSA (Ag.), Ralfs.
55. Staurastrum alternans, Breb.
56. Staurastrum arctiscon, Ehrb.
57. Staurastrum aristiferum, Ralfs.
58. Staurastrum Avicula, Breb.
59. Staurastrum Brasiliense, Nord. Var. triquetrum.
Wolle, n. var.
60. Staurastrum brevispina, Breb.
61. Staurastrum crenatum, Bailey.
62. Staurastrum cuspidatum, Breb.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 435
63. Staurastrum cyrtocerum, Breb.
64. Staurastrum dejectum, Breb.
6d. Staurastrum Dickiei, Kalfs.
Q6. Staurastrum echinatum, Breb.
67. Staurastrum eustephanum, Ralfs.
68. Staurastrum furcigerum, Breb.
69. Stuarastrum fusiforme, Wolle.
70. Staurastrum g-racile, Kalfs.
71. Staurastrum hirsutum (Elirb.), Breb.
72. Staurastrum inconspicuum, Nord.
73. Staurastrum leptocladum, Nord.
74. Staurastrum margaritaceum, Ehrb.
75. Staurastrum muticum, Breb.
76. Staurastrum paradoxum, Mejen.
77. Staurastrum scabrum, Breb.
78. Staurastrum Sebaldi, Reinscli.
79. Staurastrum subteliferum.
80. Staurastrum tricorne, Breb.
81. Staurastrum trifidum, Nord.
82. Staurastrum xiphidiophorum, Wolle.
Most of these are more or less familiar forms, but Cos-
436 DESMIDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
mavium rJiombusoides I consider a new species. The semi-
cells are in the form of a rhombus — four-sided — unlike sex-
angulare, which has six sides, as its name implies. It is
besides a larger plant than the latter.
I was glad to see Staurastrum xiphidiophorum, described
by me in Bull. Torr. Glub, occurring frequently in the vial.
It has been hitherto found only in Minnesota, and differs
somewhat from the type in not having quite so many spines
(daggers) .
Staurastrum Brasiliense, Nord. var. triquetrum. — This
(the typical plant) was originally found in Brazil, and was
described as usually four -sided, sometimes five -sided.
Your form, although only three-sided, is so like it that I
propose to call it var. triquetrum.
The ladies to whom we are indebted for these specimens
are to be heartily congratulated upon the success of their
researches. Never did I see a richer collection of Desmids,
and it afforded me much gratification. I have been trying
the past ten years to get fresh-water alg?e from your State,
but always failing, I began to think that California had
none, however rich the marine forms might be.
I might have supposed that the forms of Desmids, etc.,
found on your coast would differ from ours much more than
they do, but I was surprised a few days since to observe
by a list published in England how like our own those of
Japan are.
The following fresh -water algae, not belonging to the
Desmidiacece, were also found in the vial:
Pediastkum Boryanum, Turp.
Pediastrum forcipatum, a. Br.
Pediastrum Ehrenbergii, a. Br.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 437
Ehaphidium polymoephum, Rabh.
Merismopedia glauca, Nag.
Ophiocytium cuspidatum, Bailey.
Ophiocytium cochleare, a. Br.
Ophiocytium majus, Nag.
(Edogonium undulatum, a. Br.
GEdogonium cryptoporum, Wittr.
NosTOC — a small form.
Conferva. ?
Diatoms — several species.
Lyngbya. ?
438 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
Y.
BY H. W. HARKNESS.
Eamularia Evonymi, E. & K. — On living leaves oi Euony-
mus occidentalis, Santa Cruz, July, 1884. 3721
Eamularia Heraclei (Oud.), Sacc. — On living leaves of
Heradeum Icniatum, Oakland, September, 1887. 2802
Eamularia menthicola, Sacc. — On living leaves oi3Ientha
Canadensis, Folsom, May, 1882. ^ 3210
Eamularia mimuli, E. & K. — On living leaves of 31vm-
idus lideus, Eolsom, May, 1882. 3215
Phyllosticta Angelic^e, Sacc. — On living leaves of An-
gelica Breiveri, Donner, September, 1884. 3394
Phyllosticta cruenta, Fr. — On living leaves of Smilacina
a'lnplexicaulis, Tamalpais, April, 1882. 3178
Septoria Epilobii, West. — On living leaves of Epilobium
coloratum, Folsom, May, 1882. 3218
Septoria destruens, Desm. — On living leaves of Sidalcea
malvcejiora, Tamalpais, April, 1882. 3176
Septoria (Enother^, B. & C. — On living leaves of (Eno-
thera ovata, Piedmont, March, 1882. 3077
Septoria Pentstemonis, E. & E. — On living leaves of
Pentstemon centrantJdfolius and P. corijmhosus, Central Cali-
fornia, May— August. 3112, 4151
Septoria Eubi, West.— On living leaves of Ruhus Nut-
Jcanits, Piedmont, June, 1882. 3261
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 439
Septoria Scutellaria, Tlilim. — On living leaves of Scic-
iellaria tuherosa, Antioch, April, 1882, 3109
Septorla Stachydis, Eob. & Desm. — On living leaves of
Stachys hullata, San Francisco, February, 1882. 3020
Septoria Symphoricarpi, E. & E. — On living leaves of
Symphoricarpus racemosiis, Niles, May, 1882 3248
Kellermannia TucCtEGEna, E. & E. Jour. Myc. i. 154. —
On dead leaves of Yucca hrevifolia, Mohave Desert, March,
1878. ' 698
Kellermannia Polygoni, E. & K., Jour. Myc, ii. 111. —
On dead stems of Polygonum polymorplmm, Blue Canon,
April, 1882. ' 3277
Kellermannia Sisyrinchii, E. & E., Jour. Myc. ii. 111. —
On dead stems of Sisyrinchmni helium, Berkeley, February,
1882. 3017
AscocHYTA Fremontia. — Hypopliyllous, scattered, minute:
spores pale - brown, nearly cylindrical, slightly atten-
uated at the ends, flexuous, 1-septate, but often appear-
ing 3-septate by division of the endochrome, very unequal
in size, jx 6—12 X 30—40.
Covering the lower surface of living leaves of Fremontia
Califovnica, Tehachapi, June, 1884. 3719
DiPLODiA Frangul.e, Fckl. — On stems of Rhamnus Cali-
fornica. San Francisco, June, 1881. 2618
DiPLODiA PROFUSA. — On twigs of Robinia pseudacacia, Oak-
land, December, 1882, 2990
DiPLODiA Nerii, Speg. — On dead stems of Nerium Olean-
der, Oakland. February, 1884. 3634
Pestalozzia gibbosa. — Epiphyllous ; acervuli black,
erumpent: basidia linear, hyaline, shorter than the spore:
440 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
spores elliptic, curved, 4-septate; two lower cells pale
brown, the two above- them so black that the septum can
be seen with difficulty; the apical cell hyaline and crowned
by three setse, with capitate extremities.
Spore /i 8 X 24; setae, 40.
On partly dead leaves of GauUheria Shallon, frequently
covering nearly the entire leaf, which is blackened by the
spores. Point Eeyes, June, 1886. 4130
Synchitrium myosotidis, Klihn. — On Eritrichium, San
Diego, May, 1884. 3598
iEciDiUM ABUNDANS, Pk. — On living leaves of Symphori-
carpus racemosus, and succeeded by Puccinia Symphoricarpiy
Hk. May, 1884. 3174
iEciDiUM Phaceli^, Pk. — On living leaves of Phacelia
eircinata, Yo Semite, June, 1883. 3530
^CIDIUM RCESTELioiDES, E. & E. — On living leaves and
stems of Sidalcea malvcBfiora, Olema, June, 1886. 4123
RcESTELiA LACERATA, Fr. — On fruit of AmelancJiier alnifo-
lia. Sierra Nevada, May, 1886. 2723
Uredo Iridis, Schw. — On living leaves of Lis longipetala
and /. Douglasii, San Francisco and Sausalito, June, 1886.
4061, 4095
Uredo ? — On living leaves of Accena pinnatijida.
This, which is the Uredo form of some Phragmidium, is
very abundant throughout the summer, but although fre-
quently sought for, teleutospores have not yet been seen.
2648, 2523
Trichobasis Helianthell^, Pk. — On living leaves of He-
lianthella Cali/ornica, Donner, September, 1882. 3405
Uromyces Euphorbia, C. & P., with ^cidium Euphorbia;
Gmel. — On living leaves of Euphorbia serpyllifolia, Central
California. 3208, 3491, 4126
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 441
Ueomyces Psoralen, Pk. — On living leaves of Psoralea
phijsodes, Mt. St. Helena, May, 1884. 3482, 3687
Uromyces Zygadeni, Pk. — On Zygadenus Fremonti, Tam-
alpais, July, 1886. 4139
PucciNiA Pimpinell^, Strauss, with ^cidium. — On living
leaves of Osmorrhiza nuda, Sausalito, August, 1881. 2750
PucciNiA Artemisiarum, Duby. — On Artemisia Calif ornica
and A. pycnocepliala, San Francisco, June, 1884.
3463, 2812
PucciNiA Balsamorrhiz^, Pk. — On living leaves of BaU
samorrhiza deltoidea, Verdi, August, 1884. 3745
PucoiNiA Clarkle, Pk. — On living leaves of Clayhia rJiom-
hoidea, Yo Semite, July, 1883. 3592
PucciNiA PLUMBARiA, Pk., with ^EciDiUM. — On leaves of
Gilia linearis, Eeno, Nevada, May, 1884. 3348, 3506.
PucciNiA CoNvoLvuLi, Cast., with ^cidium Calystegi.e,
Desm. — On living leaves of Convolvulus luteolus and C. vil-
losus, San Luis Obispo, July, 1885. 4003,4028
PucciNiA Grindelle, Pk., with ^cidium. — On living leaves
of Grindelia squarrosa, Williams, Colusa County, May, 1884.
3513
PucciNiA NiGRESCENS, Pk.,^ with tEcidium. — On living
leaves of Audibertia incana and A. stachyoides. Eeno, Neva-
da, August, 1882, and Tres Pinos, California, July, 1885.
3365, 4022
PucciNiA Troximontis, Pk. — On living leaves of Troxi-
mon heterophyllum, San Francisco, May, 1883. 3136
442 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
PucciNiA SUBCIRCINATA, E. & E., witli ^ciDiUM. — On liv-
ing leaves of Senecio triangularis, Donner, August^ 1883.
3572
PucciNiA YiOL^, DC., with ^cidium. — On living leaves of
Viola canina, Cisco, July — August, 1883. 3486, 3544
PucciNiA Wyethije, Pk. — On living leaves of Wyethia mol-
lis, Donner, Sierra Nevada, September, 1882. 3406
Peronospora viticola, B. & C. — On living leaves of Viti^
Calif ornica, near Bartlett Springs, Lake County, June, 1884,
and Eussian Eiver, June, 1886. "^ 3706, 4128
Tliis fungus, forming large white patches, is confined to
the lower surface of the leaf, where only the stomata from
which it emerges is found. The corresponding part of the
upper surface is much paler than the healthy portion of the
leaf, on which account it is noticeable to a considerable dis-
tance. In both the cases noted above it was very abundant,
and is a menace to our vineyards not to be lightly re-
garded.
It was first observed in 1872, in a vineyard near Sacra-
mento, which has since, the vines having been uprooted,
been devoted to other uses. The vineyard was near the
levee and in close proximity to wild grapevines, from which
the fungus was undoubtedly derived.
Dr. Farlow, in Bull. Bussey Inst. i. 422, March, 1876,
speaking of this disease of the vine, says:
" One would naturally suppose that a fungus so common
as Peronospora viticola, which often is found on every leaf
of a vine, would have an injurious effect upon the grape
crop. Such, however, is not the case. The fungus does
not attack the grapes themselves; nor does it, at least in
New England, appear until about the first of August; and
its withering effect upon the leaves is not very evident be-
fore September. As far as out-of-door grape culture in the
Northern States is concerned, we are inclined to believe.
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 443
that, practically no harm is done by Feronospora viticola,
but that, on the contrary, the fugus is really beneficial.
Our native vines have a luxuriant growth of leaves; and the
danger is that, in our short summers, the grapes will not
be sufficiently exposed to the sun to ripen. But the Peron-
ospora arrives, with us, at a period when the vine has at-
tained its growth for the season; the important point being-
then to ripen up the grapes which are concealed by the foli-
age. By shrivelling up tlie leaves, the Peronospora enables
the sun to reach tlie grapes without loss to the vines, as is
shown by the fact that the vines continue to live on, year
after year, without apparent injury. Should the fungus be
introduced into Central Europe, the case might be different.
The foliage oi Vitis vinifera is by no means as luxuriant as
that of our own vines; the winters are warmer, the springs
earlier, and the summers much moister than here; and it is
quite possible that the advent of the Peronospora, by reason
of the greater warmth and moisture, would be some weeks
earlier than here, before the vine had attained its growth,
and at a time when the leaves are needed for the work of
absorption and assimilation. It might be that the intro-
duction of Peronospora viticola into Europe would prove a
repetition, on a small scale, of what has, unfortunately,
already happened in the case of Phylloxera."
It will be seen that Dr. Farlow thinks that Peronospora
viticola is not likely to prove inj\irious in the Northern
States, but in California the climate and conditions are
similar to those of France and Italy, where he justly feared
its introduction. It appears with us on the wild vine at
the time of flowering and robs it of the leaves necessary
to shield the growing grapes from the scorching rays
of the sun.
Sulphuring, washes, and all such remedies, used with
more or less success in various fungoid diseases of the vine,
are necessarily useless in this; for the resting spore, by
444 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
which it propagates iu the succeeding year, is formed deep
in the substance of the leaf, and only becomes free by its
decay.
Yineyards in the vicinity of infested wild vines will sooner
or later acquire it from them ; and the experience of the
coffee plantations of Ceylon will be repeated. These be-
came infected by a fungus, probably infrequent on the
original host, which propagated itself to such an extent on
the more fertile one as almost to ruin the planters.
The only effectual remedy which can be suggested is to
destroy by fire the infected vines — taking especial care that no
leaves escape; and where a vineyard is to be planted in the
vicinity of wild vines, it would be well to destroy the lat-
ter as a measure of precaution.
Peronospoka Oxybaphi, E. & K. — On living leaves of
Abronia Crax-Malke, Reno, Nevada, August, and A. luiibel-
lata, San Francisco, November, 1882. 3368, 3436
Yalsa impulsa, C. & P. — On Pyrus samhucifolia, Donner,
August, 1883. 3551
Yalsa femoralis, Pk. — On dead twigs of Alnus rubra,
Sunol, December, 1881. 2961
Yalsa exigua. Nits. — On dead twigs of Acer macrophyl-
lum, Sunol, September, 1882. 3385
DiATRYPELLA Frostii, (Pk.) — On dead branches oi Acer
macrophyllum, Tamalpais, February, 1885. 3907
DiATRYPELLA PROMINENS, Howe. — On dead branches of
Platanus racemosa, Sunol, January, 1885. 4007
DiATRYPE Rhois (Schw.) — On dead branches of Elms di-
versiloba, San Francisco, September, 1885. 4074
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 445
DiAPORTHE (Tetrastaga) rostellata, (Fr.) — On dead
stems of Ruhiis Nutkanus, Cisco, August, 1884. 3782
DiAPORTHE (Chorostate) TESSERA, (Fr.) — Oil dead twigs
of Corylus rostrata, San Rafael, March, 1882. 3066
Stigmatea Geraxii, Fr.— On living leaves of Geranmm
Carolinianiun, Alameda, AjDril, 1882. 3196
Gnomonia setacea, (Pers.) — On dead leaves of Corylus
rostrata, Sausalito, January, 1883= 3477
Sph^rella MOLLERIAXA, Tlilim. — On living leaves of Euca-
lyptus globulus, San Francisco, December, 1881. 2880
Sph^rella Gaultheri-E, C. & P. — On living leaves of
GauUheria Shallon, Lagunitas, November, 1882. 3431
Anthostomella perfidiosa (De Not.) — On dead stems of
Symphoricarjms racemosus, Sausalito, August, 1881. 2745
SoRDARiA LANUGINOSA, Sacc. — On dead branches of Lupi-
nus arbor euSi San Francisco, June, 1886. 4137
LEPTOSPH.ERIA ARVENSis, Sp. — On Equisetum arvense, Lake
Tahoe, September, 1884. 3766
LoPHiosTOMA ACERVATUM, Karst. — On dead twigs of Pru-
niis demissa, August, 1883. 3555
Pleospora Salsol.e, FckL— On dead stems of Salicornia
herbacea, Tamalpais, February, 1885. 3913
Pleospora leguminum, (Wallr.) — On dead stems of Ho-
sackia Furshiania, Mt. Diablo, August, 1884. 3798
Pleospora Frangul^, Fckl.— On twigs of Rhamnus Cali-
fornica, Blue Canon, June, 1882. 3301
446 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Pleospora oligomera, Sacc. & Speg. — On dead stems of
Silene GaUica, San Francisco, 1885. 4089
Pleospora Typh^, Pass. — On dead leaves of Tupha lati-
folia, San Francisco, June, 1882. 2986
Cucurbitaria Eibis, Niessl. — On dead leaves of Ribes san-
gidneum, Blue Canon, June, 1882. 3297
Thyridium cingulatum, (Mont.) — On dead branches of
S ymphoricarpus racemosus, Alta, August, 1884. 3827
]V[azzantia Galii, (Fr.) — On Galium aparine, Sausalito,
August, 1881. 2772
Phyllachora effusa, Scliw. — On Heliantlius gracilentus,
San Vicente, July, 1885. 4065
Phyllachora Pteridis, (Keb.) — On living leaves of Pteris
aquilina, Blue Canon, Sierra Nevada, September, 1882.
3398
Phyllachora? Polemonii. — Amphigenous; spots black,
roundish, 1-3 lines broad, papillate and shining.
Growing on both surfaces of living leaves of Polemoniura
huinile, Donner. Sierra Nevada, September, 1882. 3397
This fungus, which is very abundant and showy, has not
yet been found mature. A section shows the densely ag-
gregated perithecia involved in the stroma, but no trace of
asci.
The high altitude at which it grows (over 7,000 feet) ac-
counts for this fact, as it is covered b}^ the heavy snows of
winter before the formation of asci, and the texture of the
leaves on which it is found is so thin and fragile that no
trace of them can be found the succeeding year.
FUNGI OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 447
MoNTAGNELLA TUMEFACIENS, Ell. ct Hk. Jour. Myc. ii. 41.
Forming gouty swellings which bear considerable resem-
blance to the "Black Knot," Dothidea morbosa, on twigs
of Artemisia Californica, Mt. Diablo, April, 1882. 3101
Tympanis Frangul^, Fr. — On dead stems of Bhamnus
Californica, Sausalito, February, 1881. 2534
448
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY THE DARK LIMB OF THE MOON
At the Davidcou Observatory, San Francisco, Cal.
COMMUNICATED TO THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, MARCH Ist, 1887,
BY Prof. GEOHGE DAVIDSON, A. M., D. Pb.
CLARK EQUATORIAL, 6.4 INCHES.
Date.
1887,
0)
>■
u
O
(5
star.
a
1
Local
Sidereal
Times.
■
Remarks.
Jan. 28..
G. F. D.
90
(? Stone 139).
7
H. M. s.
5 46 41.6
Obsn. good (a)
Feb. 2..
" 2..
G.D....
G.D....
90
90
TOTauri
Arg. 15: 630..
6
8.7
5 49 21.5
7 50 23.5
" but * ft. ob-
jective partly covered.
Disapp'nce sharp and sudden
" 2..
G. D....
90
d' Tauri
4
7 50 45.5
"
" 2..
G. D...
90
75THuri
6
7 51 23.4
<( a (<
" 2..
G. D....
90
Arg. 15: 633..
6.5
7 54 30.2
.<
•♦ 2..
G. D....
90
Arg. 15: 635..
8.5
8 31 21.7
(( (( ((
- 2..
G. D....
90
B. A. C. 1391.
5
8 46 09.6
"
" 2..
G. D.. . .
90
B. A. C. 1394.
7
8 53 38.3
" "
(a) The identity of this star somewhat doubtful. Transit Observations for
tiiue for this, and the observations of February 2d, by G. D.
Observers: — G. F. D.:^G. Fauntleroy Davidson.
G. D.=George Davidson.
Geographical Position of Observatory :
Latitude=37° 47' 24.''75 N.
Longitude=122° 25' 40/'54 W.
ERRATA.
ADDITIONS TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF GUADALUPE ISLAND.
Page 280, in table. For "385 mm." read "384 mm."
283, '• " 1691 <5 read 1691? .
1699 5 " 1699$.
2408 c? " 2408$.
2504 5 " 2504$.
25815 " 2581$.
2409 5 " 2409$.
288, second line. For "form" read "forms."
289, second table. For "Scott" read "Scott Mt."
" "Mar. 20, 1883," read "Mar. 20, 1880."
290, elevc-nth line. For "Guadeloupe" read "Guadalupe."
291, fourteenth lin«e. For "Guadaloupe ' read "Guadalupe."
299, thirteebth line. For "by omitting," substitute "it having
omitted."
299, eighth line. For "Cone's" read "Coues'."
303, second table. For "$ad.'' read "ad."
BULLETIN
CALIFORNIA
ACADEMY
p
K^ 1.
Ji
ENCES,
Vol. 2, No. 8.
NOVEMBER, 1887.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Discover}^ of tbe Nest and Eggs of the Evening Grosbeak. Wrtlter E.
Ih-yaut 449
A New Subspecies of Petrel from Guadalupe IsLand. Walter E. Bryant. J50
Unusual Nesting Sites. Walter E Bryant 451
Some New Nortb American Pselapbidae. Thos L. Casey 455
Californian Manzanitas. C C, Parry 483
West Coast Pulmonata — Fossil and Living. J. G. Cooper 497
The Flora of the Coast Islands of California, in Relation to Kecent Changes
in Physical Geography. Joseph Le Coule 515
Priority of Dr. Kellogg's Genus Marah over Megarrhiza Torr. ]Mary K.
Curran 521
ISSUED NOUEMBER 2, 1BB7.
BULLETIN.
'No. 8.
California Academy of Sciences,
DISCOVERY OF THE
NEST AND EGGS OF THE EVENING GROSBEAK
(Coccothraustes vespertina.)
BY WALTER E. BRYANT.
Read June 20, 1887.
Although this species was first described in 1825, I be-
lieve that no description of its nest and eggs has previously
appeared. Accordingly I take pleasure in announcing the
discovery of the first nest and eggs, by Mr. E. H. Fiske, in
Yolo County, California. Eegarding this interesting find-
ng, Mr. Fiske has written me the following particulars
from his field notes.
The nest, containing four eggs, was taken May 10th, 1886,
but incubation was so far advanced that he was unable to
preserve them. In general shape, color and marking, they
were similar to eggs of the Black-headed Grosbeak, but in
size he thinks they were somewhat larger.
The nest was built in a small live oak, at a height of ten
feet, and was a more pretentious 'structure than is usually
built by the Black-headed Grosbeak, being composed of
small twigs supporting a thin layer of fibrous bark, and a
lining of horse hair.
It is to be hoped that Mr. Fiske will be successful in find-
ing additional specimens from which measurements may b©
determined.
32— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. n, 8. Issued July 23, 1887,
450 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF PETREL FROM
GUADALUPE ISLAND.
BY WALTER E. RRYANT.
Read July 18, 1887.
A series of fourteen specimens of Oceanodroma, collected
by myself on Guadalupe Island off Lower California in
March, 1886, were assigned to the species leucorhoa (Leach's
Petrel), in my paper on the ornithology of that island/
In a foot note, reference was made to the considerable
excess in size of the Guadalupe Island specimens over
Leach's Petrel of the Atlantic Coast, but from lack of
sufficient material for comparison I was unable to satisfac-
torily determine their differences, although strongly inclined
to consider it a distinct race. My supposition has since
been confirmed by several prominent ornithologists, and by
comparison with typical specimens of Leach's Petrel from
Alaska and coast of Massachusetts, which were kindly loaned
from the Smitiisonian Institution.
The Alaskan birds seem to be the same size as those from
the Atlantic Coast, and of about the same color. A single
female from Alaska (No. 102,281 Smithsonian Coll.), is
nearly as dark as the Guadalupe birds, but the upper tail
coverts are much whiter and the measuremeuts less.
For this well marked local variety, I propose the name
Oceanodroma leucorhoa macrodactyla, subsp. nov.
GUADALUPE PETREL.
Subsp. Char. — Similar to 0. leucorJioa, but larger and dark-
er.
^ Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. Bulletin California
Academy of Sciences, No. 6, pp. 269—318.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF PETREL. 451
White of upper tail coverts more restricted, and the ends
of coverts broadly tipped with black. Pileum darker than
back, lighter anteriorly. Bill broader and deeper at base
than that of leucorlioa.
Wing, 155 — 171 mm.; tail feathers, 85 — 99mm.; depth
of fork, 23 — 35 mm. ; exposed culmen, 15.5 — 17 mm. ; tarsus,
22 — 26 mm.; middle toe and claw, 28 — 30 mm.
Habitat. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California.
Types.— Nos. 2567, 5 ad.; 2565, ? ad. Both in collec-
tion of Walter E. Bryant.
UNUSUAL NESTING SITES. I.
BY WALTER E. BRYANT.
Kead August 1. 1887.
One of the interesting features of the study of oology is
the selection of strange nesting sites made by many birds
when the circumstances of their environment compel a de-
parture from their customary habits. This is especially no-
ticeable in certain tree-building species, which avail them-
selves of low bushes and sometimes even the ground in the
absence of trees.
During a recent trip to Carson, Nev. , and vicinity, I was
particularly impressed by the unusual and novel situation
which had been chosen by birds whose nesting habits were
well known. These had adapted themselves to various sit-
uations, the mention of which, together with instances
noted from other localities where choice rather than circum-
stances seemingly prompted the departures, may be inter-
esting.
452 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Callipepla californica.
California Partridge. — Essentially a ground building
species, but several cases have come to my notice of its
nesting in trees upon the upright end of a broken or decayed
limb or at the intersection of two large branches. A few
years ago a brood was hatched and safely conducted away
from a vine-covered trellis at the front door of a popular
seminary. How the parent birds managed to get the tender
young down to the ground is not known.
Colaptes cafer.
Red-shafted Flicker. — Three instances are recalled when
this species nested in unusual places. One of these was in
a bridge bulkhead a few feet above the Carson River. The
interior of the structure was filled with gravel and large
stones, amongst which the eggs were deposited. Another
pair used a target butt at a much frequented range as a sub-
stitute for a stump. A tiiird nest was in a sand-bank three
feet from the top and ten from the creek. This hole was-
apparently specially prepared, and not one made by a
ground squirrel, such holes being sometimes used by these
birds.
Trochilus calliope.
Calliope Hummingbird. — A nest was found built upon a
projecting splinter of a wood pile at a height of five feet.
Another was secured to a rope within an outbuilding.
Tyr annus verticalis.
Arkansas Kingbird. — An old and much flattened nest of
Bullock's Oriole was found relined and containing four
Kingbird's eggs. One of the most remarkable instances of
persistency in nest building was naet with in the case of a
pair of Kingbirds which had attempted to construct a nest
upon the outer end of a windmill fan. A horizontal blade
had probably been first selected, but an occasional breath
of air had slightly turned the mill, bringing into place an«
UNUSUAL NESTING SITES. I. 453
other and another, upon each of which had been deposited
the first material for a nest until several nests were in differ-
ent stages of construction, varying with the time that the
windmill had remained quiet, while upon the roof below
was strewn a quantity of debris that had fallen as the wheel
revolved. Of course nothing but failure could be expected
from their repeated attempts.
Sayornis saya.
Say' s Phcebe. — A nest which could be conveniently reached
by a person on horseback was found by Mr. Walter Bliss at
Carson, placed within and close to the entrance of a desert-
ed Bank Swallow's burrow.
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus.
Brewer's Blackbird. — All the nests found at Carson were
upon the ground, usually on the edge of a bank formed by
an irrigating ditch, with the exception of one which was
built two feet from the ground upon dry tule and well hid-
den by the growing stems.
Carpodacus frontalis rhodocolpus.
Crimson House Finch. — Besides the" odd situations which
they select about houses, they avail themselves of the last
year's nests of Bullock's Oriole.
Troglodytes aedon parkmanii.
Parkman's Wren. — The species has been known to build
in the skull of a horse, which had been placed in a fruit
tree ; in the nests of Cliff Swallows, and within an old shoe
lodged in a tree.
Merula migratoria propinqua.
AYestern Robin. — a pair of Robins built and reared a
brood in a hanging basket suspended from the edge of the
veranda at the residence of Mr. H. G. Parker at Carson,
Nev.
454 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Sialia mexicana.
Western Bluebird. — Dr. Cooper informs me that he has
known a Bluebird to build in a Cliff Swallow's nest.
Sialia arctica.
Mountain Bluebird. — Three incubated eggs of this spe-
cies were taken from the nest of a Barn Swallow at Lake
Tahoe, Cal., by Mr. "Walter Bliss.
Passer domesticus.
European Sparrow. — Since the introduction of this pest
into our cities, many birds, hitherto common, have left for
the suburbs, notably the Cliff Swallows, whose nests were
appropriated by the Sparrows. In these cases the limited
space compelled the latter to dispense with the usual amount
of rubbish, and carry in only a lining of feathers.
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 455
ON SOME NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHIDiE.
(With Plate XVI.)
BY THOS. L. CASEY.
Read July 18th, 1887.
The Pselapliide fauna of the Pacific coast is by no means
so insignificant as it has hitherto been considered, and as
the search for these singular and fascinating forms becomes
more specialized, and their habits and localities better
known, new species are discovered in abundance.
For those w^ho would prosecute a more extended collec-
tion of these insects, it may be stated that the Californian
Pselaphidae are very seldom found with ants, although a few
myrmecophilous species are known, but generally in fun-
gous earth, about the roots of trees, under bark, or in the
long wet moss covering the rocks in the secluded ravines of
mountainous regions. The genus Oropus, and several spe-
cies of Eeichenbachia and Batrisus are peculiar to the last-
named localities, while Euplectus and. Pytna are always
found under bark. Sonoma and Actium are sometimes
found under bark, but often also in fungous earth. Batri-
sus zephyrinus, on the other hand, I found in abundance at
Lake Tahoe, living in the most indiscriminate localities —
under bark, under chips buried in grassy turf, and in
fungous earth.
The following forms, most of which were collected by
myself, and which have been- accumulating in my cabinet
during the past two years, are here described as new, al-
though it is possible that Actium californicum Lee, may be
redescribed under that genus. This can only be the case,
however, under the supposition that the description given
by LeConte for that, species is erroneous in regard to the
32— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 8. Issued August 2, 1887.
456 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
length of the elytral strias, and as the species of this genus
are numerous and rather local, the probabilities are de-
cidedly against the formation of a synonym.
Biotus formicarius u. gen. Tyohus bipuncticeps.
Pytna corticiua n. geix Actium pallidum.
Batrisus cephalotes. politum.
luculentus. robiistulum.
foveicornis. testaceum.
punctifrons. Euplectus californicus.
Decarthron Brendeli. Khexidius granulosus n. gen.
Bryaxis arizonas. Oropus moutanus.
Nisaxis cincinnata. Sonoma corticina.
maritima. cavifrons
Tychus sonomse
BIOTUS n. gen. (Ctenistides.)
Clypeus simple. Body covered densely with very minute, recumbent
setfe. Antennae elongate, cylindrical, outer joints not enlarged, second
joint smallest. Head with two spongiose fovefe; frontal tubercle divided,
the canaliculation extending slightly along the front. Prothorax transverse,
with longer, more erect and denser pubescence, trifoveate at base, the foveas
large, spongiose, not connected. Elytra with deeply impressed sutural and
one long discal stria. Abdomen without ridges; second visible dorsal longer
than the first. Posterior coxas separated. Trochanters normal.
The maxillary palpi are very short, robust and compact;
the second joint is somewhat slender, but short; the last
two are transverse, anchylosed, forming a circular club
which is affixed obliquely to the second joint. No basal
joint is visible, and the palpi may possibly be three-jointed.
The genus should be placed near Ceophyllus Lee. from
which it differs in the remarkably minute and singular palpi.
It may be easily identified by its non-clavate antennae with
the"second joint small.
B. formicarius n. sp, — Rather robust, pale testaceo-ferruginous through-
out; integuments shining; pubesceuce dense, rather long and erect on the
head and prothorax, very short and recumbent on the elytra and abdomen;
not perceptibly punctate. Head not much depressed, slightly longer than
wide; clypeus rounded, conical; labrum very short, strongly transverse;
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHIDJE. 457
eyes large, coarsely granulate, convex, prominent, at less than their own
length from the base; the latter broadly arcuate; occiput having, on a line
through the middle of the eyes, two large, feebly impressed, spongiose foveae,
mutually scarcely more distant than either from the eye; antennae nearly
one-half as long as the body, joints two to ten transverse, cylindrical, first
joint flattened, about as long as wide, second small, eleventh slightly longer
than the two preceding together. Prothorax distinctly wider than the head,
widest in the middle; sides rather broadly rounded, almost straight near the
apex and base; the latter transverse, abruptly arcuate in the middle third,
one-third wider than the apex and but slightly narrower than the disk; apex
broadly, very feebly emargiuate; posterior angles slightly rounded; disk one-
half wider than long, moderately convex, feebly tuberculate in the middle
anteriorly; median fovea feebly impressed, elongate, elliptical, beginning at
the middle and continuing nearly to the basal margin; lateral foveas smaller,
circular, deeply impressed, at one-third the length from the base. Elytra
at base as wide as the base of the prothorax, at apex three-fourths wider;
humeri but slightly prominent; sides evenly arcuate; together very slightly
wider than long, each with two large basal foveae; sutural stria coarse, deep,
nearly straight, approaching the suture toward apex; discal coarse, deep,
slightly arcuate, continuing for about three-fourths the length. Abdomen
slightly narrower than the elytra, about equal io length to the latter; sides
nearly parallel, feebly arcuate; border strong, diminishing in width; surface
broadly convex. Legs rather long and slender, alutaceous, very densely
clothed with minute recumbent setae; middle trochanters very slender; tarsi
rather short; claws small, equal. Metasternum impressed in the middle,
more strongly so posteriorly. Length 2.8 mm.
Calif ornia (Los Angeles 2.)
The four outer joints of the antenna are more finely and
densely pubescent and slightly paler in color, the eighth
joint two-thirds wider than long, much shorter than the
ninth or^tenth, the latter nearly equal.
This interesting species lives in the nests of a small pale
brown ant.
PYTNA n. gen. (Tyrides.)
The present genus has the pubescence fine and subre-
cumbent and not short, robust and recumbent as in the
Ctenistides; following the classification suggested by Reit-
ter, it should therefore be placed iu the group indicated.
Antennas approximate; club gradual, three-jointed. Maxillary palpi four-
jointed; basal joint minute; second long, clavate, bent; third shorter, ob-
458 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
couoidal, as robust as the second; third one-half long-^r than the second,
fusiform, equal in thickness to the second, acuminate at apex, having a
slender terminal process. Head with three small spongiose foveas at the
apices of an equilateral triangle; eyes large, convex, rather coarsely granu •
late; clypeus angulate at the sides, Pronotum with three small basal foveas
connected by a fine impressed line. Elytra each with one sutural and one
discal stria. Abdominal border wide, nearly flat; first visible segment with a
median basal carina; first two segments equal in length. Prosternum exca-
vated in front of the coxae; legs rather long; femora slightly robust, the
anterior with a short longitudinal carina beneath and near the base; middle
tibiae strongly arcuate; tarsi long and slender, three- jointed; basal joint very
small; second and third elongate, the latter the longer; claws simple, mode-
rate in length, equal, slender; anterior trochanters with a small posterior
tuberculate tooth; intermediate with a long corneous process, projecting
posteriorly from the apex obliquely outward; middle coxae narrowly, poste-
rior rather widely separated.
The modifications of the trochanters and the inferior ca-
rina of the anterior femora are not sexual characters, but
are nearly as well developed in the female as in the male.
Pytna appears to belong in the neighborhood of Tyrus, but
differs in the structure of the palpi.
P. COrticina, n. sp.— Bright rufous, abdomen piceous; integuments pol-
ished; pubescence fine, rather short, moderately dense. Head very slightly
longer than wide, nearly flat above; eyes large, at more than their own
length from the base; genae convergent, feebly arcuate to the neck, clothed
with longer, more conspicuous pubescence; fovese small, the two posterior
slightly behind the middle; antennal tubercle slightly transverse, feebly
canaliculate in the middle; antennse long and slender, distinctly more than
one-half as long as the body, basal joint subcyliadrical, much longer than
wide, second slightly narrower, as long as wide, very feebly obconical, three
to six subequal, very slightly shorter and narrower than the second, nearly
as long as wide, seventh and eighth very slightly smaller, equal, ninth as
long as the two preceding together, feebly obconical, one-half longer than
wide, tenth as long as the ninth, slightly thicker, feebly obconical, eleventh
ovoidal, acuminate, one-half wider than and nearly twice as long as the tenth.
Prothorax widest at one-third the length from the apex; sides distinctly
convergent and nearly straight to the apex; very feebly convergent and just
visibly sinuate to the base; the latter broadly and rather strongly arcuate,
scarcely perceptibly narrower than the disk, one-half wider than the apex; the
latter transversely truncate; surface convex, impunctate, except near the
base; transverse line fine, parallel to the basal margin and distant from it by
one-fifth the length; foveas very small; disk slightly longer than wide, very
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 459
slightly wider than the head. Elytra oue-third longer than the prothorax,
at apex more than twice as wide as the latter; sides strongly divergent,
strongly arcuate; humeri rounded, slightly tumid; disk much wider than
long, feebly convex, coarsely but not very densely punctate, truncate be-
hind, the edge densely fimbriate; sutural strire deep, straight, beginning
distinctly before the b.isal margin; discal arcuate, fine, terminating at nearly
one-third the length from the apex. br.)adly dilated and deeply impressed
toward base. Abdomen fully as wide but scarcely as long as the elytra;
sides parallel, strongly arcuate; bordt-r wide; surface impunctate, strongly
convex; basal carina strong. Length 2.0-2.2 mm.
California (Lake Tahoe 11).
Tlie description is drawn from the male, the sexual modi-
fication consisting of a very feeble impression in the middle
of the abdomen near the base, and a small deep emargina-
tion at the apex of the terminal segment. The female dilBfers
but slightly, the terminal segment of the abdomen being
broadly angnlate at apex.
This species was taken rather abundantly under the bark
of various fallen conifers.
BATRISUS Aub^.
B. cephalotes n- sp- — Somewhat robust, very convex, piceous; legs and
antennae pale rufo-ferruginous throughout; pubescence long, coarse, erect,
sparse, much denser on the head behind and beneath the eyes, short on the
vertex; integuments polished.
Male— Head very large, distinctly wider than long and wider than the
prothorax; surface feebly convex; apex veiy broadly and evenly arcuate
throughout the width between the very widely distant antennre; sides par-
allel; eyes very small, on the sides just behind the middle, convex, promi-
nent; foveae round, moderate in size, spongiose, at one-third the length from
the base, mutually twice as distant as either from the eye; connecting chan-
nel feebly impressed, becoming obsolete anteriorly near the edge of the
frontal declivity; vertex abruptly declivous between the antennae, having in
the middle of the lower edge two very approximate teeth, each of which has
a deep setigerous puncture on the upper surface near the outer edge; later-
ally the lower edge is setigerous; vertex beneath the dentiferous edge very
deeply excavated throughout the width between the bases of the antennae;
clypeus angnlate at the sides, with the edges reflexed, more strongly so at
apex which is transversely sinuate; portion before the reflexed apex in the
form of a large setigerous tubercle which is further advanced than the two
teeth of the iipper surface; labrum broadly sinuate, anterior angles promi-
460 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
nent; antennae robust, as long as the head and prothorax together, club very
large, basal joint large, one-half longer than wide, as long as the next two
together, lower surface simple but more strongly convex than the upper,
second slightly longer and more robust than the third, joints three to eight
equal in width, ninth wider, transverse, tenth much wider than the ninth,
very slightly wider than long, subglobular, eleventh wider than the tenth,
conoidal, apices of joints six to nine slightly oblique; upper surface very
coarsely, feebly and sparsely punctate at the sides near the antennae, else-
where impunctate, not carinate. Prothorax as long as wide, widest just be-
fore the middle, where the sides are strongly rounded and rather prominent,
being abruptly and strongly sinuate and rather strongly convergent to the
base, broadly rounded to the apex; base scarcely one-fifth wider than the
apex, three-fourths as wide as the disk; the latter trisulcate; middle sulcus
narrow, deep, obsolete at one-fifth the length from the apex; having near
the base a very deep, round, nude median fovea, and two large, spongiose,
lateral foveae, between them bispinose with a longitudinal ridge proceeding
anteriorly from each spine, also tuberculate on each lateral edge near the
base; surface near the basal margin bifoveate laterally, ob^oletely and very
finely carinate in the middle. Elytra very sparsely, rather coarsely and
feebly punctate, each trifoveate at base; discal striae short, broadly, feebly
impressed; humeri minutely and distinctly spinose. Abdomen with two
short cusps at base. Legs rather long; femora robust; posterior tibiae with
terminal process. Length 2.0 mm.
New York 1 (Mr. Henry Ulke.)
Belongs near denticollis, from which it is easily distin-
guished by the form of the bidentate vertex, this being
declivous, with the teeth upon the lower edge in the present
species, and broadly emarginate, with the teeth porrected
and but very little below the level of the front in denticoUis.^
B. lucnlentUS n. sp.— Rather slender, polished, piceous; elytra slightly
paler and more rufous; legs pale; anteunje dark rufous, club paler; pubes-
cence rather sparse.
Male — Head rather large, wider than long, wider than the prothorax, very
feebly convex, coarsely, sparsely and feebly punctate anteriorly, impunctate
posteriorly; eyes moderate, convex, prominent, near the base; foveae deep,
round, nude, at two-fifths the length from the base, mutually distinctly
more than twice as distant as either from the eye; arcuate groove fine, deeply
* Note — From material recently sent me for identification by Dr. Emil
Brendel, I find that this species is widely diffused throiigh the North At-
lantic districts, there being specimens in the series indicated from New York
and Illinois.
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 461
impressed near the fovew, becoming completely obsolete anteriorly; vertex
gradually declivous between the antennae the declivity broadly biimpressed,
the impressions setigerous; lower edge bidentate in the middle, the teeth
slightly reflexed and with many err^ct setaa on the lower surface, deeply ex^
cavated beneath between the antenna; clypeus broadlj' arcuate anteriorly,
sides feebly divergent posteriorly and nearly straight, angles slightly rounded*
not prominent, surface conical, edge not at all reflexed, having in the middle
an abrupt, small, strongly elevated tubercle at a considerable distauce from
the anterior margin and rising just before the two superior teeth, exceedingly
minutely and sparsely setose; labrum broadly emarginate, angles prominent;
antenna slightly longer than the head and prothovax together, moderately
robust, very strongly clavate, basal joint more convex beneath, not otherwise
modified, as long as the next two together, second longer and more robust
th m the third, eighth shortest, strongly transverse, ninth slis^htly longer
and nearly one-half wider than the eighth, transverse, tenth large, nearly
twice as wide as the ninth and very nearly as long as wide, sides parallel,
arcuate; eleventh distinctly narrower than the tenth, acuminate. Prothorax
slightly longer than wide; dorsal ridges and median sulcus almost completely
obsolete; median basal puncture small, round, nude, impressed; lateral
slightly larger, spongiose; lateral sulcations broadly impressed, feeble; lateral
basal tubercles minute; surface near the basal margin bifoveate at the sides,
not at all carinate in the middle; disk convex, widest before the middle;
sides rather broadly rounded, feebly sinuate toward base and apex; base
slightly more than three-fourths as wide as the disk, one-fourth wider than
the apex. Elytra fully as long as wide, convex; humeri slightly prominent
but not at all spinose. Abdomen with two long, parallel, prominent cusps at
base, distant by one-fifth the abdominal width. Legs rather long; femora
moderately robust; middle tibiae with an internal apical spur; posterior
feebly arcuate, with a terminal process. Length 1.7 mm.
District of Columbia 2 (Mr. Henry Ulke).
The female has the vertex strongly declivous, and theno©
less strongly and continuously so over the surface of the clyp-
eus, which is finely, strongly and densely granulose; the
vertex is not excavated between the bases of the antennae,
each of which is inserted in a large lateral excavation. Th©
antennae are more slender, with the outer joints gradually
wider, the tenth transverse and but slightly larger than the
ninth.
This species should also be placed near denticollis; these
three species belong to the nigricans group; the latter is,
however, distinguished by the unusual structure of the
462 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
antennae, the third joint of which is, according to the de-
scription of Dr. Le Conte, presumably more robust than
the second.
B. foveicornis n. sp. — Rather slender, convex, rufous throughout; integ-
uments polished, impunctate; pubescence rather long, coarse and sparse.
Male— Head moderate, slightly longer than wide, very slightly wider than
the prothorax; vertex between the antennae coarsely, feebly and not densely
punctate, punctures asperate, elsewhere impunctate; eyes small, very con-
vex, prominent, rather finely granulate; base behind them broadly arcuate;
surface very feebly convex, very feebly and finely carinate in the middle
near the base, finely and distinctly carinate at each side above the eyes;
arcuate groove broadly impressed, extending from the base at the sides to
the vertex, where it becomes very feeble; foveae small, nude, very deep,
perforate, situated at less than one-third the length of the superior portions
from the base, and on the inner margin of the arcuate impression; vertex
declivous and slightly produced in the middle, being separated from the
clypeus by a narrow, feebly impressed transverse groove; clypeus large,
prominent, conical, strongly rounded anteriorly, very obtusely angulated at
the sides, edges not at all reflexed; antennse rather slender, as long as the
head and prothorax together, basal joint subcylindrical, not modified, nearly
as long as the next two together, two to seven subeqnal, distinctly longer
than wide, the second slightly more robust and the sixth a very little shorter,
eighth equal in width, distinctly wider than long, ninth equal in length to
the eighth, one-third wider, inner side much more strongly convergent
toward apex, tenth abruptly very large, nearly twice as wide as the ninth,
fully as loDg as wide, flattened, sides parallel, almost straight, eleventh as
wide as the tenth, as long as the three preceding together, ob'iquely acumi-
nate, very slightly flatteued on the lower side. Prothorax widest slightly
before the middle; sides strongly rounded, convergent and feebly sinuate
toward base and apex; median and lateral foveas almost equal, deep, at
nearly equal distances from the base, the median nude; median groove short,
feebly impressed, lateral more distinct; basal spines small; ridges distinct,
becoming obsolete before the middle, separated behind from the spines by
transversely arcuate impressions; base bifoveate at each side; disk strongly
convex, very slightly longer than wide, base much wider than the apex.
Elytra fully as long as wide, nearly twice as wide as the prothorax, very
convex; humeri prominent, not spiuose. Abdomen nearly as wide and as
long as the elytra; basal cusps rather long, strong, separated by scarcely
one-sixth the abdominal width. Legs long, slender; anterior trochanters
minutely toothed posteriorly; posterior tibiae with an apical process; tarsi
very long and slender, the po.sterior one-half as long as the tibiae. Length
1.9 mm.
Tennessee 2 (Mr. Henry Ulke).
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHIDiE. 463
The large flattened tenth antennal joint has, on the lower
surface and near the base, a very lar^e deep circular perfo-
rate fovea. Of the species in which the tenth antennal
joint is enlarged in the males, there are some — for example
cephalotes — in which this joint, although unusually large
and prominent, is almost completely unmodified upon the
lower surface, others — virginice, denticollis, etc. — which
have the lower surface slightly flattened and with a small,
deep fovea near the base; but in no case which has come
under my observation is this fovea one-half so large, or the
joint itself so strongly flattened as in the present species.
The two specimens indicated are males. The species
probably belongs near spretus Lee, which is described as
black.
B. punctifrons n sp.— Moderately robust, convex, piceous-black; elytra
very slightly paler, rufo-piceous; legs and autennae pale rufo-ferruginous,
the latter slightly darker toward base; integuments polished, impunctate;
pubescence rather long, sparse, flavate.
Male — Head moderate, slightly longer than -wide, just visibly wider than
the prothorax; eyes moderate, convex, at their own length from the base;
genae strongly convergent, feebly arcuate; base broadly sinuate; surface
feebly convex, very finely, feebly, arcuately carinate above the eyes; im-
pressed groove continuous from the base at the sides to the vertex, at which
point it is but slightly more feeble; foveae deep, nude, in the middle of the
groove; vertex coarsely, sparsely and feebly punctate on the antennal tuber-
culations, which are large and fiat, declivous anteriorly, the declivity moder-
ate, beginning along a straight line between the antennas;^ apex strongly
rounded; declivous surface very strongly, finely and densely punctate, each
puncture bearing a very minute, coarse, flavate seta; apex divided from the
clypeus by a fine, transverse, strongly arcuate, deeply impressed groove;
clypeus short, broadly subangulate, obtusely angulate at the sides; surface
finely scabrous, conical; edges not at all reflexed; having in the middle a
small, f-eble tubercle which bears a tuft of rather long, erect, flavate sets;
antennae rather long, slender, one-fourth longer than the head and protho-
rax together, club strong, basal joint not modified, cylindrical, shorter thnn
the next two together, second much longer and distinctly more robust than
the third, joints two to seven longer than wide, eighth equal in width, nearly
as long as wide, ninth wider and longer, tenth similar to the ninth, dis-
tinctly wider and longer, slightly wider than long, inner side much shorter
than the outer, eleventh large, twice as wide as the tenth, ovoidal. acumi-
nate, nearly as long as the four preceding toge'her. Prothorax slightly longer
464 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
than wide, widest slightly before the middle; base two-thirds as wide as the
disk, one-fourth wider than the apex; median sulcation feebly impressed,
becoming obsolete at one-third the length from the apex; spines moderate;
ridges almost obsolete; lateral grooves broadly, feebly impressed; foveas
large and deep. Elytra fully as long as wide; humeri prominent, not
spinose. Abdomen nearly as wide as, but much shorter than the elytra;
basal cusps fine, strong, rather long, parallel, separated by one-fifth the ab-
dominal width. Legs long, slender; posterior tibiBB with apical process.
Length 1.8 mm.
Pennsylvania 1 (Mr. Henry Ulke.)
This species is very distinct in the characters of the vertex
and antennae; the eleventh joint is here more than usually
developed, while the tenth is but slightly larger than the
ninth and of nearly the same form.
DECARTHRON Brend.
D. Brendeli ii- sp. — Form somewhat robust, convex, piceo-castaueous
throughout; legs and antennae paler, rufous; pubescence rather long and
sparse, more dense on the abdomen and at the sides of the prothorax and
head; integuments polished. Head moderate, as wide as long, very feebly
convex, almost impunctate; eyes large, coarsely granulated, convex and
prominent; gen^e extremely short behind tbem; base wide, transversely
truncate; on a line through the anterior portions of the eyes there are
two widely distant nude foveas; anteunal tuberculations large, distinctly
elevated; antennae as long as the head and prothonx together, rather slen-
der, club rather large, basal joint cylindrical, slightly longer than wide,
second slightly shorter and narrower, third feebly obcouical, as long as and
much narrower than the second, four to six subequal, very slightly longer
than wide, and just visibly wider than the third, seven larger, scarcely as
long as wide, eight very short, transverse, narrower than the seventh, ninth
much wider than the seventh, very feebly trapezoidal, nearly twice as wide
as long, tenth very slightly wider than the ninth, ovoidal, pointed, nearly as
long as the three preceding together, Prothorax scarcely as wide as the
head, very slightly wider than long; sides broadly rounded, convergent
and feehly sinuate toward base; the latter broadlj'- arcuate, four-fifths as
wide as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; disk strongly, evenly con-
vex, not impressed at the sides, having a deep nude fovea in the middle near
the base. Elytra near the apex fully twice as wide as the prothorax; sides
strongly divergent, arcuate; disk wider than long, two-thirds longer than the
prothorax, convex, coarsely and extremely feebly punctate; sutural striae
deep, feebly avcute; disc il deeply impressed, feebly arcuate, parallel to the
suture, terminating at nearly two-fifths the length from the apex. Abdomen
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 465
two-thirds as long as the elytra, nearly as wide as the latter; first segment,
when viewed vertically, occupying three-fourths of the entire length, feebly
convex; border narrow, flat; basal carinas strong, very feebly divergent,
slightly more than one-half as long as the segment, separated by one-half
the entire width. Legs rather long and slender. Length 1.3-1.5 mm.
Texas (Galveston 8).
The above described type is a male. In this sex the
middle femora are very singularly modified, being very
strongly swollen, abruptly constricted near the apex, im-
pressed anteriorly, with an anterior tooth near the apex
and just before the deep apical constriction. In the female
the femora are all simple and rather slender, and the seventh
antennal joint is smaller than the eighth. The female is,
in addition, smaller than the male, and has the dorsal
carinfe of the abdomen distinctly shorter.
I have dedicated this very distinct species to a friend,
the author of the genus, and one to whom our systematic
knowledge of the American representatives of the family is
greatly indebted.
BRYAXIS Leach.
B. arizonse n- sp. — Form rather slender, pale testaceous throughout;
shining, not distinctly punctate; pubescence very fine, short and rather
sparse. Head moderate, triangular; eyes large, prominent; occipital foveas
on a line just before the middle of the eyes, mutually more than twice as
distant as either from the eye; apical fovea equal to the occipital, slightly
less distant from either of the others than the mutual distance of the latter;
connecting channel almost obsolete; antennas slender, slightly longer than
the head and prothorax together, joints three and five each nearly twice as
long as wide, distinctly longer than the fourth and equal in length to the
second, the latter more robust, seventh distinctly shorter' than the sixth,
slightly longer than wide, eighth, ninth and tenth distinctly wider than long,
increasing uniformly and very rapidlyau size, eleventh wider than the tenth,
much longer than wide, obliquely acuminate. Prothorax widest at the mid-
dle; sides rounded anteriorly, rather deeply sinuate posteriorly; base broadly,
very feebly arcuate, five-sixths as wide as the disk, nearly one-half wider
than the apex; the latter very feebly arcuate; disk distinctly wider than long,
equal in width to the head, convex; middle fovea slightly smaller than the
lateral, the former at one-fifth, the latter at nearly one-third the length from
the base. Elytra at the humeri very slightly wider than the prothorax, at
33— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. H. 8. Issued August 2, 1887.
466 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
the apex sliglitly less than twice as wide as the latter; disk distinctly wider
than long, moderately convex; sutural stvise strong, nearly straight, conver-
gent and arcuate near the apex; discal fine, feebly impressed feebly sigmoid,
becoming obsolete at one-fifth the length from the apex. Abdomen slightly
shorter and very little narrower than the elytra; sides nearly straight and
parallel; border moderate in width; surface broadly and feebly convex; first
segment, the only one seen when viewed vertically, nearly five-sixths as long
as the elytra. Legs slender. Length 1.2 mm.
Arizona (Tucson 1).
Described from the male, the sexual characters being simi-
lar in form to those of texana, but having the median tuber-
cle of the second segment smaller, less transverse and much
more prominent.
This species belongs to the texana group of the genus,
which is distinguished by the great development of the first
ventral segment in the male, this being the only part of the
abdomen seen when viewed vertically. It differs from texana
in its smaller size, slightly more robust form, much shorter
elytra, narrower abdominal border, in the size and position
of the pronotal foveae, and in its shorter antennae with less
prominent club; the eighth, ninth and tenth joints in texana
are much less transverse. In texana the median fovea of
the pronotum is larger, and at about one-fourth the length
from the base, the three foveas being more nearly on a trans-
verse line than in arizonm.
NISAXIS Casey.
N. cincinnata u- sp- — Slightly robust, clear testaceous throughout; legs
and antennae slightly paler; pubescence moderately dense, rather long. Head
very slightly narrower than the prothorax, as long as wide; eyes rather large,
prominent, at two-thirds their own length from the base; genee very feebly
convergent toward base, feebly arcuate, not at all prominent; base trans-
versely truncate; front large, quadrate, fet-bly convex, coarsely, deeply, not
densely punctate, impunctate in the middle, feebly biimpressed near the
vertex; antennae about as long as the head and prothorax together, first two
joints nearly equal, slightly more robust, one-half longer than wide, nearly
cylindrical, third obconical, longer than wide, much shorter than the second,
as long as the fifth, longer than the fourth, sixth aud seventh slightly shorter,
very little longer than wide, eighth very slightl}^ wider, a little wider than
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 467
long, shorter thau the seventh, ninth two-thirds wider than the eighth, ob-
trapezoidal, outer side more oblique, tenth one-half longer and wider than
the ninth, one-half wider than long, eleventh distinctly wider than the tenth,
as long as the three preceding together, longer than wido, obliquely acumi-
miuate. Prothorax widest at two- fifths the length from the apex; sides
strouglj' rounded, feebly inciirvate toward base; the latter broadly, evenly
arcuate, three fourths as wide as the disk, nearly two-thirds wider than the
apex; disk one-third wider than long, evenly convex, rather coarsely, ex-
tremely feebly aud not densely punctate; having in the middle, at one-fifth
the length from the base, a small nude punctiform fovea, and, at each side,
a larger feebly impressed nude fovea at one-third the length from the base.
Elytra at the humeri distinctly wider than the piothorax, together distinctly
wider than long, one-half longer than the pronotum, and, at apex four-fifths
wider than the latter; disk moderately convex, sutural stria deeply impress-
ed, evenly, feebly arcuate; discal tine, distinct, extending very slightly be-
yond the middle; sutural foveae very small and at the extreme basal margin;
lateral larger and further from the base; base otherwise devoid of foveas;
surf ice very minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate. Abdomen two-thirds
as long as the elytra, nearly equal in width, occupied for six-sevenths the
entire length when viewed vertically by the basal segment; border rather
narrow, flat; siarface moderately convex, finely, feebly aud sparsely punctate;
basal carinae divergent, straight, strong, nearly one-half as long as the seg-
ment, separated by one-half the abdominal width. Legs rather long and
slender; posterior tibiae abruptly bent near the apex, middle coxfe large,
globose, not prominent, distinctly but narrowly separated by the sternal
processes which are truncate and not carinate; posterior small, widely sepa-
rated. Length 1.1 mm.
Texas (Galveston 10).
Described from the male in wliicli the first two dorsals
are simple, the third transversely and feebly impressed, the
impression large and anteriorly lunate, the inclosed apical
elevation being feebly convex and bearing a loose tuft of
long erect set^e ; fourth and fifth normal, broadly arcuate
at apex, the latter short and with the posterior margin very
feebly jDroduced in the middle. Viewed from beneath the
abdomen consists of three visible segments, although there
is probably a fourth which is completely hidden under the
third; the basal segment is very long, and, in the middle,
occupies the entire extent, except a very small apical por-
tion where the two short posterior segments become very
short, the third being at this point deflexed and channeled
468 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
externally. Besides the tuft of long setae from the median
elevation of the third segment, there are many long con-
spicuous setae on the second, and at the sides and base of
the third.
N. maritima n- sp. — Form somewhat slender, dark rufous throughout;;
elytral apices slightly darker; legs and antennae very slightly paler; pubes-
cence long, rather coarse, not dense. Head slightly narrower than the
prothorax, nearly as wide as long; eyes moderate, at nearly their own length
from the base; gense feebly arcuate, not at all prominent, as long as the eye;
front feebly convex, feebly, finely and sparsely punctate toward the eyes,
impunctate in the middle; antennae slender, about as long as the head and
prothorax together, nearly as in cincinnata, ninth joint symmetrical, but
slightly wider than long, tenth strongly transverse, truncate at base and
apex, nearly cylindrical, eleventh elongate, but slightly wider than the tenth.
Prothorax one-fourth wider than long, widest before the middle ; sides
strongly rounded, strongly sinuate near the basal angles; base broadly arcu-
ate, nearly four-fifths as wide as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; sur-
face very minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate; basal fovea very small, at
one-fifth the length from the base; lateral moderately deep, larger, at one-
fourth the length from the base. Elytra slightly wider than long, at apex
four-fifths wider than the prothorax; sides feebly divergent; disk rather
strongly convex; sutural striae strong, feebly arcuate; discal fine, distinct,
extending from near the base for two-thirds the length. Abdomen but slight-
ly more than one-half as long as the elytra; border rather narrow; basal
carinae short; one-fifth as long as the basal segment, divergent, feeble, sepa-
rated by slightly more than one-half the abdominal width. Le^s long and
slender; posterior tibiae bent near the apex. Length 1.0 mm.
Texas (Galveston 3.)
The description is taken from the male, the sexual char-
acters being very remarkable. The first dorsal segment oc-
cupies nearly the entire extent of the abdomen when viewed
vertically, and has the apex abruptly deflexed in the middle,
the deflexed portion being transversely impressed or exca-
vated; its lower margin is reflexed and broken into two
lateral crests and a small median and strongly elevated
tubercle; the edge of the segment immediately above the de-
flexed excavated portion is more densely setose and bears
two feeble tubercles. The second segment is short, trans-
versely and very deeply excavated in the middle third, the
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 469
excavation being anteriorly arcuate and extending under the
apical process of the first; at the apex there is in the mid-
dle a strongly elevated carinate tubercle which is slightly
transverse, with the apex directed anteriorly for a slight
distance over the excavation, and bearing two fine setiform
appendages; its posterior surface is feebly and minutely
tuberculate; the surface of the segment has, at each side
of the central excavation, a transverse arcuate canalicula-
tion which is disconnected. The third segment has, just
before the middle, two small tubercles distant by nearly
one-half the width, the remainder of the surface being un-
modified. Fourth segment unmodified. Fifth shorter,
feebly produced in the middle.
The under surface, as in cinclnncda, consists of but three
visible segments, the first being very long, the third ab-
ruptly and narrowly deflexed in the middle, the deflexed
portion being channeled externally. There is, however, a
fourth segment to be seen by looking longitudinally under
the third, by which it is entirely covered. The surface of
this fourth segment is abruptly arched at each side between
the middle and the lateral edges, the arching being visible
as a semicircular emargination of the edge when viewed
longitudinally, and there is on the edge in the middle a
strong vertical spine which appears to fit into the
channel in the deflexed apex of the third segment.
These species belong near tomentosa Aube, but appear to
be smaller and more sparsely pubescent. The genus is al-
most exclusively confined to the sea-beaches of the Atlantic
coast.
TYCHUS Leach.
T. SOnomae n- sp. — Sleuder, convex, piceous; elytra, legs and antennae
testaceDUs; pubescence fine, moderate in length, sparse; integuments pol-
ished, impunctate. Head much narrower than the prothorax, distinctly
longer than wide, broadly rounded behind the eyes; the latter rather large,
prominent, coarsely granulate, at nearly their own length from the base:
surface transversely convex, transversely impressed behind the frontal
470 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
tubercle, which is transverse, convex and impressed along the middle; on a
transverse Hue passing throngh the anterior portion of the eyes there are two
minute, widely distant, punctiform foveae; antenn;re slightly longer than the
head and prothorax together, robust, strongly clavate, basal joint much
longer than wide, arcuate, second slightly narrower, quadrate, third nar-
rower, obconical, longer than wide, joints three to seven subequal, eighth
very slightly wider than long, ninth abruptly much wi ier, tenth still wider,
equal in length, ninth and tenth distinctly wider than long, eleventh wider
than the tenth, as long as the three preceding together, acuminate. Pro-
thorax widest slightly before the middle, as wide as long, strongly convex;
sides rather strongly rounded, feebly sinuate near the apex, more strongly
80 near the base; the latter br jadly arcuate, four-tifths as wide as the disk,
one-third wider than the apex; basal fovea minute, very near the margin;
lateral impressions feeble; along the basal margin between the median fovea
and the basal angles there are, on each side, two small punctiform fove»,
nearly as large as the msdian. Elytra at the humeri scarcely perceptibly
wider than the prothorax, at the apex nearly twice as wide as the latter;
sides evenly arcuate, together transversely truncate behind, convex, as long
as wide, two-thirds longer than the prothorax; each bifoveate at base; su-
tural stria deeply impressed; discal distinct, broadly impressed, terminating
slightly before the middle. Abdomen two-thirds as long as the elytra, much
narrower than the latter, parabolic in form; basal segment much longer than
the second; lateral border narrow, flat, rapidly attenuate from base to apex.
Legs rather long and blender; posterior tibite arcuate toward apex. Length
1.25 mm.
California (Mendocino Co., 1.)
The specimen described is probably a male; the sexual
characters are very feeble, the fifth segment being longer,
feebly flattened, and broadly bilobed at apex. The species
is much smaller than either of the two previously described
from these regions, and the fonrth joint of the maxillary
palpi has a long and distinct terminal process. The third
joint of that organ is elongate and clavate, the fourth more
strongly arcuate within, subsecuriform, elongate and strongly
compressed.
T. bipuacticeps ^' sp.— Rathsr slender, convex, polished, impunctate,
piceous; elytra, legs and antennae pale rufous. Head moderate, slightly
longer than wide, convex; eyes large, convex, prominent, just behind the
middle; genae convergent, feebly arcuate, clothed with longer, dense pubes-
cence; base broadly arcuate; antennal tubercle much wider than long,
large, divided by a feeble canaliculation; antennce as long as the head and
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID.E. 471
prothorax together, rather slenler, basal joint as long as the next two to-
gether, subcylindrical, second narrower, second and third slightly longer
than wide, the latter slightly shorter and narrower, four to eight equal in
width, slightly shorter but scare :'l3' narrower than the third, ninth wide'-,
nearly as long as wide, tenth wider than the ninth, wider than long, eleventh
distinctly wider than the tenth, ovoid il, acuminate, as long as the three
prece ling together; on a line through the anterior portions of the eyes there
are two small, very widely distant nude punctures; fourth joint of maxillary
palpi dilated internally, truncate at apex, having a slender terminal process.
Prothorax distinctly wider than the head, one-fifth wider than long; sides
strongly rounded just before the middle, convergent and very feebly sinuate
toward base; the latter evenl}', feebly arcuate, four-fifths as wide as the disk,
one-third wiiler than the apex; the latter truncate; disk strongly convex,
with a row of small punctures along the basal margin, very feebly impressed
at each side near the base, with a small, deeply impressed, nude fovea in the
middle and very near the basal margin. Elytra near the apex nearly twice
as wide as the prothorax; sides moderately divergent from base to apex,
arcuate; disk fully as long as wide, convex; sutural stride distinct, strongly
arcuate; discal fine, distiuct, terminating at the middle; humeri rather
strongly tumid. Abdomen much shorter than the elytra, pai'abolically
rounded throughout; border narrow, rapidly becoming extinct; surface con-
vex and declivous posteriorly from the apex of the first visible segment; the
latter as long as the next two together, transversely very feebly convex.
Legslong, slender, simple; tarsi slender Metasternum broadly and strongly
impressed along the middle; posterior coxae rather widel}'' separated. Length
1.4 mm.
California (Lake Tahoe 2).
The type specimen is a male, the under surface of the
abdomen near the apex being broadly and feebly impressed.
With this specimen 1 have associated a female, which dif-
fers considerably in the much shorter elytra, with more
strongly divergent sides; but the material is insufficient to
permit definite conclusions regarding its identity.
The individual facets or granules upon the surface of the
compound eyes are circular and very widely separated.
This species is very nearly related to sonomce, but differs
in its slightly more robust form and slightly more trans-
verse prothorax, with more angulate sides. It occurs under
chips and bark slightly buried in grassy turf.
472 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ACTIUM Casey.
Through the kindness of Herr Reitter, of Modiing, Aus-
tria, who has sent me several representatives of Trimiopsis,
I am enabled to give the following statement, showing the
relationship of the latter with Actium, Trimiopsis being
represented Dj 1. Ejgersi.
The maxillary palpi of Trimiopsis are long, the fourth
joint being more strongly dilated internally near the base,
and therefore distinctly securiform ; while in Actium, as rep-
resented by pallidum, the palpi are shorter, more robust, and
with the outer joint ovoidal and acuminate. In T. specu-
laris, however, the palpi are more robust and do not differ
so greatly from the form existing in Actium.
One of the most conclusive differences, however, is the
presence of a distinct discal stria, extending for one-half to
two-thirds the elytral length in Actium, and the complete
absence of this stria in Trimiopsis.
In Trimiopsis the isolated fovea at the base of each ely-
tra, between the discal and sutural striae, which is a con-
stant character of Actium, is completely wanting.
Several species of Trimiopsis have two basal abdominal
carinse, these being very widely distant in T. specularls;
others, however, — eg. Eggersi — are entirely devoid of the
basal carinse. In Actium the basal carina3 are distinct and
rather approximate.
The species of Trimiopsis are much smaller than those of
Actium, and have the head relatively much larger.
Actium also appears to resemble, to some extent, the
much more minute African species, recently described
under the name Periplectus by Raffray,
It is probable that the species described from the east-
ern parts of the United States under the name Trimium
might more appropriately be referred to Trimiopsis, as the
European genus Trimium has not yet been discovered with-
in our territories.
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^E. 473
A. pallidum n- sp. — Form rather slender, convex; pale flavo-testaceous
throughout, antennae and legs slightly paler and less rufous; integuments
polished, impunctate; pubescence fine, short, subrecumbent, rather sparse.
Head smaXl, very much narrower than the prothorax; as long as wide; eyes
rather large and prominent, somewhat finely granulated, at the middle of the
sides; gense distinctly shorter than the eyes, evenly rounded to the neck, not at
all prominent; base very feebly sinuate; occiput longitudinally impressed in
the middle; front having two round, impressed, spongiose fovere on a line
through the middle of the eyes, mutually twice as distant as either from the eye,
connected by a subangulate channel which is rather strongly impressed and
much wider than long; antennas short, one-half longer than the head, club
very robust, two basal joints subequal, slightly longer than wide, more ro-
bust than the f anicle, joints three to seven moniliform, subequal, the former
slightly longer than wide, the latter slightly transverse, joints eight to ten
very short and strongly transverse, equal in length, acutely rounded at the
sides, the former twice, the latter more than three times as wide as long,
eleventh much wider, ovoidal, gradually acuminate, as long as the five pre-
ceding together. Protkorix widest at one-third the length from the apex,
where it is scarcely as wide as long; sides rather broadly rounded, feebly
convergent and nearly straight toward base; the latter evenly and rather
strongly arcuate throughout, fally four-fifths as wide as the disk, one-half
wider than the apex; disk convex, having at one-fourth the length from the
bas3 a transverse, narrow, deeply impressed, posteriorly arcuate channel,
connecting the rather large, deeply impressed, spongiose lateral foveas and
continued posteriorly more than one-half the distance to the basal margin
by a canaliculate impression; along the basal margin, very near the edge,
there is a narrow deeply-impressed line. Elytra at the humeri much wider
than the prothorax; sides feebly divergent, arcuate; humeri rather promi-
nent; together fully as long as wide; disk feebly convex, each trifoveate at
base; sutural stria fine, deep, nearly straight; discal proceeding from the
third fovea, fine, nearly straight, parallel to the satural, slightly double at
base, vanishing at a slight distance before the middle; second fovea without
trace of stria. Abdomen distinctly shorter, but very slightly narrower than
the elytra, rapidly declivous behind, parabolically rounded through its apical
half when viewed ve.-tically; border narrow, slightly inclined; first segment
slightly longer than the second, having at base two fine, slightly divergent
carinas which are very short and distant by les5 than one-fifth the abdomi-
nal width.. Legs slender. Length 1.^ mm.
California (Monterey Co.)
This species is abundant under decomposing vegetation,
near the margins of small streams.
A. polituoi u sp. — Form slender, convex; bright testaceous, legs and
antennae slightly paler, more flavate, abdomjn d irker, castaneous; integu-
474 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
mants polishecl, impunctate; pub33G?u?e fi:ie, sliort, sparse. Heal smal',
as loag as wide, distinctly nirro.ver thaa the prothorax; eyis rather siuall,
at the middle of the sides, convex; genee distinctly longer than the eyes,
arcuate, not prominent; occiput feeb'y impressed in the middle; front hav-
ing two large spoagiose foveae on a line thro igh the posterior portions of the
eyes and mutually twice as dstant as either from the eye, connected by a
subangulate impress 3d groove; antennae short, slender, scarcely one-half
longer thail the head, club 1 irge, elongate, two basal joints more robust, sub-
equal, slightly longer than w de, joiuts three to sevej moniliform, the latter
globular, eighth very slightly wider, a little wider than long, eig'it to ten
very gradually wider and more transver-^e, equal in length, the latter oval
and scarcely twice as wide as long, eleventh nearly twice as wide as the
tenth, cylindro-conoidal, acuminate, truncate at base, elongate, nearlj'- as
long as the five preceding together. Prothorax, widest at two-fifths the
length from the apex; sides rather strongly rounded, distinctly convergent
and feebly sinuate to the basal angles; base feebly arcuate, scarcely more
than two-thirds as wide as the disk, one-third wider than the apex; disk
convex, about as wide as long, crossed at one-third the length from the base
by a narrow impressed groove which is nearly straight; lateral foveae large,
spongiose, deeply impressed; median posterior prolongation rather broadly
impressed; basal margin feebly impressed. Elytr.d width at the humeri,
which are distinctly prominent, much greater than that of the prothorax;
sides very feebly divergent, evenly and strongly arcuate; together as long
as wide, transversely truncate at apex; disk feebly convex, each trifoveate at
base; sutural striae deep, feebly and evenly arcuate, rather distant from the
suture; disoal feebly arcuate, parallel, vanishing very slightly behind the
middle, distinctly double at base. Abdomen distinctly shorter an I narrower
than the elytra; sides parallel and straight at base, rounded behind; border
rather narrow; first visible dorsal with two fine subparallel basal caiinae
which are nearly one-third as long as the segment and separated by nearly
one-fourth the abdominal width. Legs slender. Length 1.3 mm.
California (Mendocino Co. 1).
Easily known by its dark abdomen, slender antennae and
smaller eyes.
A. robustulum ^- sp.— Kather robust, convex, pale testaceous through-
out; integuments polished, impunctate; pubescence fine, short, subrecum-
bent, not dense. Head very small, nearly as wide as long, much narrower
than the prothorax ; eyes moderate, convex, prominent; geuae distinctly
longer than the eye, not prominent, rounded; occipital fovete large, on a
line through the posterior portions of the eyes, mutually twice as distant as
either from the eye, connec.ed by an impressed angulate groove; antennae
short and slender, scarcely one-half longer than the head, club gradual,
elongate, two basal joints subequal, slightly more robust, longer than wide,
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 475
three to seven nearly equal in width, the former nnich longer than wide, the
latter distiuctly wider than long, ninth to eleventh uniformly and rather
rapidly increasing in width, the ninth one-half wider than long, slightly
shorter than the tenth, the latter fully twice as wide as long, eleventh elon-
gate, accummate, a-t long as the four preceding together. Proihorax widest
before the middle; sides rounded, convergent and feebly sinuate toward
base; the latter evenly and distinctly arcuate, four-fifths as wide as the disk
and one-half wider than IheaiDex; disk convex, very slightly wider than long;
basal groove at nearly one-third the length from the margin, feebly, posteri-
orly arcuate, very deeply impressed; lateral fovete large, deeply impressed,
median posterior cusp shaped prolongation large and long; surface broadly
and very feebly impressed anteriorly from the lateral fovere, and with traces
of a narrow median canaliculation near the center of the disk. Elytra at the
somewhat prominent humeri distinctly wider than the prothorax; sides very
feebly divergent, strongly and evenly arcuate; dsk about as long as wide,
convex; sutural strife deep, arcuate; discal fine, distinct, nearly parallel, ex-
tending to or very slightly beyond the middle; intermediate basal fovea sim-
ple. Abdomen viewed vertically short and broad, three-fourths as long as
the elytra, distinctly narrower; sides straight, parallel, broadly rounded be-
hind; border rather narrow, inclined; first visible segment very shghtly
longer than the second; basal carinse rather robust and flat, very feebly di-
vergent, less than one-third as long as the segment, distant by one-fourth
the abdominal width. Legs moderate in length; femora robust, much more
arcuate externally and toward apex, posterior more slender. Length 1.4
mm.
California (Anderson Yal., Mendocino Co. 1).
The type is apparently a male, the penultimate segment
being transversely and narrowly impressed; the terminal
segment is flat, in appearance like a horizontal pygidium;
it is slightly longer than wide, oval, slightly more attenuate
behind, and entirely surrounded by the other segments.
The species is much more robust than the others here de-
scribed.
A. testaceum n« sp. — Form slender, convex; pale testaceous throughout;
integuments polished, almost impiinctate; pubescence very fine, short,
sparse. Head moderate, distinctly narrower than the prothorax; eyes
small, convex, prominent; genge not at all prominent, much longer than the
eye, rounded; occiput narrowly and deeply impressed in the middle; foveee
on a line through the posterior portions of the eyes, round, spongiose,
scarcely twice as distant as either from the eye, connected by an impressed
channel, which is more broadly arcuate than usual; antennae scarcely one-
half longer than the head, slender, nearly as in rohustulum. Prothorax
476 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
very slightly wider than long, almost exactly similar to that of robustulum,
except that the transverse basal groove is at scarcely more than one-fourth
the length from the base. Elytra at the prominent humeri distinctly wider
than the prothorax; sides feebly divergent, strongly arcuate; disk convex,
about as long as wide; sutural striae strong, arcuate; discal fine, distinct,
terminating at the middle of the disk. Abdomen very slightly shorter and
much narrower than the elj'^tra, longer than wide; sides nearly parallel,
straight, except in the apical fourth, which is parabolically rounded; basal
carinee less than one-third as long as the segment, fine, exactly parallel and
straight, separated by slightly less than one-third the abdominal width.
Legs rather short and slender. Length 1.2 mm.
California (Anderson Yal., Mendocino Co. 1).
This species is very closely allied to the preceding, the
type specimen, which is apparently a female, is smaller,
much narrower, with a narrower, much more elongate abdo-
men and larger head. The form and position of the basal
carinse differ in the two species, being distinctly stronger
and divergent in rohustalum, and finer and perfectly parallel
m testaceum. Were it not for this character and the proba-
bility— because of the sexual characters — of the masculinity
of the small-headed type of rohustidum, I should be per-
suaded to unite the two as very extreme specimens of a
single species, but at present this does not appear to be ad-
missible. Although both are from the same region, the
localities in which they were taken were widely different.
The four species thus far described differ from caUforni-
citm, as described by LeOonte, in the extent of the discal
strise, these being two-tliirds as long as the elytra in the
latter. The number of species is probably considerable, as
scarcely any organized attempt has been made to collect
them.
EUPLECTUS Leach.
E. californicUS ^- sp. — Form slender, paiallel, depressed; dark testa-
ceous throughout, polished; pubescence fine, rather short, somewhat dense.
Head rather large, slightly wider than long; eyes small, convex, rather
prominent, at more than their own length from the base; geu£e rounded,
convergent, not prominent; base broadly sinuate; surface depressed,
coarsely, deeply and rather densely punctate; having on a line through the
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID.E. 477
middle of the eyes, two small rrnde fovea9, mutually scarcely as distant as
either from the eye, connected by a feebly impressed anterior groove; an-
tennal tuberculations small, ratber prominent; antenna? three -fourths as
long as the head and prothorax together, moderately robust, club moderate,
the joints nine to eleven gradually and uniformly wider, the latter oval, as
long as the three preceding together; under surface deeply and densely
punctate, with an impressed fovea in the middle at the base, without long
erect setae. Prothorax slightly shorter and narrower than the head, widest
at one-third the length from the apex, very slightly wider than long; sides
strongly rounded anteriorly, rather strongly convergent and nearly straight
to the base; the latter broadly arcuate, two-thirds as wide as the disk, very
slightly wider than the apex; the latter transversely truncate; dislc feebly
convex, with a slightly elongate foveas near the center, a broad impression at
one-fourth the length from the base, and, on each side, a large rounded
deeply-impressed foveae, at two-fifths the length from the base, not connected
with the median impression; surface very feebly and not densely punctate.
Elytra at the humeri slightly wider than the prothorax; sides nearly parallel,
distinctly arcuate; together very feebly sinuate at apex; disk depressed, as
long as wide, nearly one-half longer than the prothorax; sutural stria deep,
very feebly arcuate; discal fine, distinct, slightly arcuate, vanishing slightly
before the middle; each elytron with an isolated basal fovea near the sutu-
ral; surface very feebly, sparsely punctate. Abdomen as long as the elytra
and distinctly narrower; sides straight and parallel; border narrow; surface
feebly convex, finely, feebly and not densely punctate; first three visible
dorsals equal in length; first two each impressed in the middle of the base;
carinfe very short and nearly obsolete. Legs short; femora not robust; tarsi
short and robust. Metasternum long, impressed along the middle. Length
1.3 mm.
California (Lake Tahoe 3).
The tarsal claw has a very minute hair-like appendage
internally near the base, giving the appearance of a rudi-
mentary second claw, but as all the characters are precisely
similar to the European genus Euplectus, as seen in san-
guineus, signatus, Bonvoidoiri, etc., much more similar, in
fact, than most of our Eastern Euplecti, it is impossible to
believe that it belongs to a different group. I would pre-
fer rather to consider this a tendency to revert to the nor-
mal condition of Coleoptera, and to hold that similar ap-
pearances may occasionally be exhibited in the European
genus.
The type is a male, the sixth segment being deeply im-
478 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
pressed in the middle. The female does not differ appre-
ciably in form.
The occurrence of a genuine Euplectus near the Pacific
coast is a very interesting fact, as heretofore the genus has
not been discovered west of the Rocky Mountains. The
three specimens indicated were found under the bark of
fallen trees, and the species appears to be very rare. It
should be placed after conjiuens in our lists.
RHEXIDIUS n. gen. (Euplectini )
Tarsi with two unequal claws; antennae straight, basal joint not conspic-
uously elongate, widely separated at base. Posterior coxse coutiguous.
Prothorax without lateral teeth, having a median canaliculation, and two
large lateral foveas near the base counected by a fine transverse line. An-
tennae eleven-jointed, short; club long and slender, three-jointed. Maxil-
lary^ palpi small, slender; third joint oval, slightly longer tbau wide; fourth
much longer than the three basal combined, slender, fusiform. First vis-
ible dorsal segment slightl}"^ longer than the second; second veutral in the
middle as long as the next three together; posterior margins of the posterior
segments strongly emargiuate. Elytra with lateral subhumeral fovea and fine
carina.
This genus is founded upon a small Californian species,
bearing a great resemblance in many of its characters to
Oropus, but differing in the structure of the antennse and in
the complete absence of lateral prothoracic teeth. It be-
longs in some of its characters near the African genus Raf-
frayia, Reitter, but differs greatly in the pronotal sculpture
and elytral structure.
R. granulosus ^- sp. — Rather slender and depressed, pale ochreous-tes-
taceous throughout, slightly '•hining; pubescence rather coarse, moderate in
length, not very dense. Head much wider than long; eyes far down on the
sides, rather small, feebly convex, at about their own length from the base,
coarsely granulated ; base broadly sinuate; occiput feebl^Mui pressed in the
middle at base, having dorsally ou a line through the middle of the ej'^es two
small, very widely distant, nude foveas, also near the apex a transversely
and feebly arcuate groove, terminating in minute foveae which are connect-
ed with the occipital foveae by a finer groove; surface impunctate, rather
densely covered with small, round, strongly elevated tubercles; antennae
distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax together, basal joint but very
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID^. 479
slie;btly longer than wide, cylindrical, second shorter, slightly narrower,
nearly globular, three to eight narrower, transverse, the latter twice as wide
as long, ninth and tenth slightly more than twice as long, much longer than
the eighth, nearly rectangular, the tenth very slightly the wider and longer,
eleventh scarcely visibly wider than the tenth, very elongate and slender,
gradually acuminate and as long as the five preceding joints combined.
Prothorax but very slightly wider than the head, widest in the middle;
sides near the basal angles just visibly sinuate, in the middle strongly
rounded, near the apex very feebly sinuate; base broadly arcuate, two-thirds
as wide as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; disk as wide as long,
moderately convex, covered not very densely with small tubercles; median
caualiculation rather fine, equal, terminating near the base and axDex: lateral
fovete smrtll, deeply impressed, spougiose, at a little more than one-fourth
the length from the base, connecting groove transverse, straight, very fine.
ii7«/^ra slightly longer than the prothorax, at apex one-half wider than the
latter, distinctly wider than long; humeri not at all prominent; together
transversely truncate behind; disk feebly convex, rather sparsely and more
coarsely tuberculate, each with three basal fovese and four stria3, one evenly
and feebly arcuate, two and three feeble, nearly equal, one half as long as
the elytra, four stronger, one-third as long as the elytra. Abdomen very
slightly wider and longer than the elytra; sides arcuate; border rather strong,
inclined; surface rather strongly convex, scarcely visibly tuberculate. Legs
rather slender. Length 1.0 mm.
California (illamecla 4).
The sexual differences are apparently very feeble, tlie
terminal segment in the male being feebly impressed. The
mesosternum is bicarinate.
OROPUS Casey.
0. montanus n. sp. — Form slender, rather depressed, uniform dark
rufo-testaceous throughout; integuments polished, not percej)tibly punctate;
pubescence fine, rather long, not dense. Head triangular, shorter and nar-
rower than the prothorax; eyes rather small, not very prominent, at slightly
more than their own length from the base; genae strongly convergent, feebly
arcuate; base broadly sinuate; base .of occiput longitudinally impressed in
the middle; occipital fovese deep, distant, on a line through the posterior
limits of the eyes, connected by a narrow, deeply impressed, arcuate groove,
much shorter than wide; antennae short, robust, distinctly shorter tban the
head and prothorax together, club elongate, rather feeble, joints three to
eight transverse, the former slightly wider than long, the latter more than
twice as wide as long, ninth and tenth joints twice as wide as long, nearly
rectangular, tenth just visibly wider and longer thau the ninth, eleventh
480 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
distinctly wider than the tenth, nearly three-fourths longer than wide,
conoidal, acuminate. Prothorax widest in the middle, where the sides are
strongly rounded, thence strongly convergent toward base and apex, rery
feebly sinuate near each limit; base broadly arcuate, scarcely two-thirds as
wide as the disk, one-half wider than the apex; the latter feebly arcuate and
less than one-half as wide as the disk; lateral teeth minute, in a transverse
line with the lateral foveee; the latter deep, at slightly less than one-third
the length from the base, connected by a fine, posteriorly arcuate groove;
median canaliculation fine, crossing the transverse groove; obsolete near the
base and apex, not at all dilated except near its basal limit; disk about as
long as wide. Elytra scarcely one-fifth longer than the prothorax, at apex
nearly one-half wider than the latter; disk distinctly wider than long, feebly
convex; stria one nearly straight, two slightly arcuate, united with one at
one-third the length from the apex, three two-thirds and four one-half as
long as the elytra respectively, all deeply impressed. Abdomen nearly as
wide as and distinctly longer than the elytra. Legs rather short and robust.
Length 1.8 mm.
California (Placer Co. 1).
Described from the female. It can very readily be dis-
tinguislied from all the species previously known by its
slender form, short elytra and peculiar disposition of the
elytral strige.
SONOMA Casey.
S. COrticina n. sp. — Linear, depressed, pale testaceous throughout;
pubescence fine, rather short, not dense. Head slightly wider than long, a
little shorter and narrower than the prothorax; eyes small, at the middle of
the sides; genae long, rounded, longer than the eyes and nearly as promi-
nent; front feebly convex, impunctate, having, at nearly one-third the length
from the base, two small nude punctiform fovere, mutually slightly less dis-
tant than either from the eye, and, at the vertex, behind the line of the an-
tennae, a large, deep circular fovea which is completely nude; antennae one-
third longer than the head and prothorax together, slender, feebly clubbed,
first joint much longer and slightly more robust than the second, the latter
nearly one-half longer than wide, oval, joints three to eight moniliform,
gradually shorter, the latter slightly wider than long, joints eight to ten
similar in form, gradually slightly larger, eleventh slightly wider than the
tenth, a little longer than wide, obtusely acuminate, not as long as the two
preceding together; under surface transversely and feebly impressed just
behind the mentum, and more deeply so along the bisal margin; fourth
joint of the maxillary palpi longer than wide, compressed, oval, having a dis-
tinct terminal process. Prothorax widest in the middle; sides broadly
rounded to the neck, convergent and distinctly sinuate near the base; disk
NEW NORTH AMERICAN PSELAPHID.E. 481
slightly wider than long, feebly convex, having a transverse anteriorly arcu-
ate impression near the base which terminates laterally in two small puncti-
form fovete and which is more deeply impres-ed in the middle, also just be-
fore the middle two minute punc;iform fovea, separated by one-fifth the en-
tire width, and at each edge at one-fourth the length from the base, a large
disconnected deeply impressed fovea, the impression being continued more
feebly to the basal angles. Elytra depressed, at the humeri slightly wider
than the pronotum; sides nearly parallel, more strongly arcuate behind; to-
gether truncate at apex, nearly as long as the heai and prothorax together;
sutural stride deeply impressed, beginning at a slight distance from the base;
discal broadly impressed, vanishing near the middle, coarsely foveo-punc-
tate; between this and the sutural a few foveate imnctures near the base ar-
ranged longitudinally. Abdomen slightly longer and wider than the elytra;
border wide, slightly inclined; first visible dorsal much shorter than the sec-
ond, having near the apex a transverse interrupted spongiose line. Legs
rather short and robust. Length 1.4-1.6 mm.
California (Mendocino Co. 8).
This species was found rather abundantly under the bark
of fallen trees in the Anderson Valley; it differs from par-
viceps in its larger head, and from isaheUce in color and in
its less robust form.
S. Cavifrons n- sp. -Slender, depressed, pale testaceous throughout; pu-
bescence fine, short, suberect, not d^-nse; integuments polished. i/eacZ small,
much smaller and narrower ihan the prothorax, as long as wide, eyes moder-
ate in size, prominent, finely granulate; gense convergent, rounded, not at
all prominent, as long as the eyes; base feeblj'- sinuate; surface impunctate,
having posteriorly two small round feebly impressed foveae, mutuall}^ slightly
less distant than either from the eye, and, just behind the strongly elevated
transverse frontal ridge, a longitudinally elongated, very deeply excavated
fovea which is slightly spongiose and more attenuated posteriorly; antenuce
slender, slightly longer than the head and prothorax together; first joint
longer than wide, robust, oval, second shorter, less robust, oval, one-half
longer than wid^, third small, narrowest, four to seven subequal, much
larger than the third, joints three to seven slightly longer than wide, eight
as wide as long, nine and ten slightly larger, very little wider than long,
eleventh slightly wider than the teath, longer than wide, acuminate, shorter
than the two preceding together. Prothorax widest at one-third the length
from the apex, where it is distinctly wider than long; sides strongly rounded,
convergent and sinuate toward base; the latter bioadly arcuate, three-;ourths
as wide as the disk, more than one-third wider than the apex. Elytra at the
humeri distinctly wider than the prothorix; sides feebly divergent, more
strongly arcuate behind; together slightly longer than wide, as long as the
34— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 8. Issued August 19, 1887.
482 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
head and prothorax together, depressed; sutural series of four impressed
fove?e at the base; the sutural stria deeply impressed and continuous only
from the fourth fovea; discal impression coarsely foveate, terminating before
the middle; between them a basal series of two or three foveas. Abdomen
as wide as and slightly longer than the elytra; border wide. Legs short
and rather slender. Length 1.9 mm.
California (Mendocino Co. 1).
The pronotal fovese and spongiose band of the abdomen
are nearly as in corticina. This species is abundantly dis-
tinguished from the preceding and from isahellce, Lee. b}^ its
smaller head and pale color respectively, and from parviceps
Makl, which it must more nearly resemble, in its smaller
size. The present species was found with the preceding
under bark, and, as the Alaskan form inhabits grassy places,
the two are probably distinct.
S. isabellce Lee. — Two specimens of this species, collected by Mr. C. Fuchs,
at Alameda, differ greatly from those here described in the shorter, more ro-
bust antennffi, with more transverse joints, in the intense black color with
testaceous elytra, and in the complete absence of the two discal punctures
of the pronotum. They were found in decomposing vegetable mould.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.
The accompanying plate is somewhat experimental, the figures being re-
productions by means of photography and gelatine printing, of shaded lead-
pencil drawings. Should this attempt be deemed successful, the process
must assuredly become popular among entomologists, as it is far easier and
less trying to the eyesight to make satisfactory drawings in soft pencil than
in ink stipple.
Fig. 1—Nisaxis cincinnata Cas. Fig. 6 — Tychus sonomce Cas.
Fig. 2 — Biotiis formicarius Cas. Fig. 7 — A ctiiim pallidum Cas.
Fig. 3—EutrichUes(Zim7nermanni?)'Lec. Fig. 8 — Bhexidius granulosus Gslb.
Fig. 4:—Oropus interruptus Cas. Fig. 9 — Thesium laticoUeCaB.
Fig. 5 — B ry axis texana Gas. Fig.lO-— Sonoma corticina Giis.
Note.— The drawings are taken from typical representatives in aU cases except Eu-
tricfiites Lee. and Thesium laticolle Cas., which I have identified from the original descrip-
tions. "With reference to the former, it may be stated that the specimen figured agrees
very well generically, but not so well specifically, with the description of LeConte.
For example, the apical fovea of the front is stated to be smaller than the occipital in
Zimmermanni, whereas in the representative figured it is in the form of a broad, indefi-
nite impression without trace of fovea. The specimens here figured were found at
Austin, Texas.
CALIFORNIAN MANZ ANITAS. 483
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS.
A Partial Revisiou of the Uva-iirsi Section of the genus Arctostaphylos,
Adans., as Represented on the North American Pacific Coast.
BY C. C. PARRY.
Read June 20th, 1887.
California is the native liome of the " 3Ianzan{tas ,' ' con-
fining the application of this well known common name to
the Uva-ursi Section of the botanical genus Arctostaphy-
los, Adans. r
Though the typical species on which the genus was
founded {A. Uva-ursi), is barely found within its northern
limits, the more conspicuous forms, including not less than
twelve species, constitute a marked feature of Californian
scenery, and are everywhere recognized as among its most
attractive floral displays.
Having several years ago undertaken a partial revision of
the genus Arctostaphylos in Proceed. Dav. Acad. Science,
Yol. IV, 31-37, the writer was naturally interested in con-
tinuing those observations, and being materially aided by
free access to the valuable collections and library of the
California Academy of Science, it seenas eminently proper
to present the results to the scientific public through the
medium of the California Academy Bulletin.
At the time of the publication above referred to, I very
naturally inferred that the commonly received species, as
described in current systematic botanical works, were clearly
defined, and referred to properly authenticated names. It
was therefore a matter of no little surprise to find as the
result of careful field observations, that though as growing
plants distinct species could be readily recognized, the
published descriptions, on account of imperfect material,
484 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
or in some instances erroneous mixing of specimens in dif-
ferent stages of growth, could not be made to agree with
actual living species. In endeavoring to rectify these una-
voidable errors, no doubt largely due to a too exclusive
reliance on dried specimens for systematic definition, I was
obliged in the first instance to take into consideration that
widely applied name of ArctostapJiylos pungens, HBK,
which has heretofore absorbed most of the poorly defined
forms brought back in collections, not alone from its orig-
inal location on the table-lands of tropical Mexico, but
extending northward along the Sierra-Madre, and appear-
ing again in unusual rich development on the North Pacific
-coast, and the Calif ornian Sierra Nevada. Aside from tlie
extreme improbability that a shrub of such peculiar charac-
ter, not easily adapting itself to changed conditions,
either in nature or cultivation, should exhibit such a wide
geographical distribution — neither the published figures of
the true Mexican plant, nor the original description could,
except by a forced construction, apply to our well known
Californian Manzanita, as seen in the lower foot-hills or the
high Sierras. I have therefore undertaken to give a com-
plete and detailed description of this species, combining
the common with the botanical name, viz. :
ArctostapJiylos Manmniia.
Another species, presenting very constant and distinct
characters, such as no one in the field would fail to recog-
nize, in its dense gregarious habit and singular glaucous
foliage, has been strangely confounded with the widely dis-
tinct A. glauca, Lindl., with which it agrees only in leaf
characters. As this common foot-hill Manzanita, ranging
from Southern Oregon to Central California, and possibly
beyond, has never yet been clearly defined, I have herewith
named, from a very marked character of the inflorescence,
Ardosiaphylos viscida .
Besides the above, my attention has also been called to
another undescribed species of remarkable delicacy and
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS. 485
beauty, first collected in fraiting specimens by Mrs. M. K.
Curran in Lake County, in 1886, and during the present
season abundantly gathered in all stages of growth by the
writer, in the vicinity of Calistoga. Desirous of recogniz-
ing in some suitable wa}^ the facilities for botanical explora-
tion extended to myself and others in California by
Hon. Leland Stanford, I have, with his permission, dedi-
cated this interesting species, which I hope to be able to
introduce into cultivation, viz. : Ardostaphylos Stanfordiana,
to the memory of his son, Leland Stanford, Jr., whose name
is to be associated with a richly endowed institution for the
advancement of human knowledge.
While postponing for the present the consideration'and
possible settlement of the vexed question of determining
just how far the aggregation of constant characters as the
result of enlarged exploration, may justify the raising of
sub-genera or sections to full generic rank — which is espe-
cially urgent in view of the polymorphous character which
is now assumed by the genus Ardostaplujlos in more recent
botanical works — I must content myself with a synoptical
arrangement of all the known species, heretofore included
in Section Uva-ursi, giving detailed descriptions of such
only as are new, or corrected notes of such as are imper
fectly known or wrongly defined.
Preliminary to this, some general observations on the
ordinary botanical features, that may aid in discriminating
species as observed in the field, is herewith submitted.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
Notwithstanding considerable diversity in habit and
growth, varying from low procumbent to almost arbores-
cent forms, this Uva-ursi group presents certain uniform
features, probably justifying its retention as a distinct
genus, under the earliest applied name, ArctostaphyloSy
Adans., separated generically from the other allied groups
486 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
witli which it has been combined in later systematic works.
Thus viewed in all forms, they are densely branched,
shrubby plants, with smooth reddish bark, renewed annually
by an exfoliation of that of the previous season, which, by
the swelling of the branches at the time of growth in May
or June, detaches the old in loose flakes, showing beneath,
the light greenish new bark becoming tawny-red on expos-
ure, to go through the same process of decortication the next
season. In the sub-arborescent forms the branches thickly
set on the base of the irregular trunk, project their rigid
and crooked limbs in every direction, forming dense, almost
impenetrable thickets.
The evergreen foliage, varying in tint from bright vivid
to dull green, or glaucous, is smooth, or roughly pubescent,
rarely tomentose, and usually entire, the different species
generally presenting well marked specific distinctions in
shape and texture. Of these, A. Andersoni, Gray, is excep-
tional in its frequent sharply serrate leaves, though in all
seedling plants observed, the earliest growth succeeding
the cotyledons is invariably serrate, in this respect cor-
responding to the interesting observations of Prof. Greene
in regard to the early growth of Priinus occidentalis on Sta.
Cruz Island. The usual vertical twist to the petioles, giving
the leaves a perpendicular direction, is one of the features
common to many shrubs in arid districts, with the obvious
result of checking evaporation by less direct exposure to
the vivid rays of the summer sun.
The inflorescence always terminal on the growing shoots,
is provided for by fully formed buds of the previous season
protected by their characteristic bracts, thus prepared to
develop their delicate urceolate corollas as early as the sea-
son of growth will allow, in favorable seasons attaining a
full development by January or February.
The usual form of inflorescence is a panicle, with more
or less extended or divaricate lateral and terminal racemes.
The subtending bracts are usually quite characteristic in the
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS. 487
different species, usually somewhat rigid and persistent,
more rarely thin hyaline and deciduous, the pair of bracteoles
at the base of each pedicel, inconspicuous and evanescent.
The pedicels, usually exceeding the bracts, are slender or
thickened upwards, smooth or pubescent, in some instances
viscid-glandular. The corollas are very uniform in charac-
ter and offer scaicely any features of specific value, being
urceolate in shape, white or delicately ruse-tinted, deciduous
and enclosing a whorl of ten stamens, with appendaged an-
thers, and filaments dilated and hairy at base. The single
style with its short lobed stigmas, exceeds the ovary, and is
more or less persistent on the forming fruit. The fruit,
technically termed a nicculanium, varies in size from one-
fourth to one-half inch in diameter, is usually orbicu-
lar in shape, occasionally flattened horizontally, and deep-
ly umbilicate, more rarely oblong and acuminate; it is
composed of a thin outer pericarp, smooth or pubescent,
occasionally glandular-viscid, the color at maturity is a dull
white, sometimes with a reddish tint, whicli soon changes
to a dull brownish yellow, and later to a deep mahogany;
this encloses within a more or less copious granular sub-acid
pulp, a radiating series of osseous nutlets (Pyrence), varying
from five (the normal number) to seven or eight; these are
either loosely united at the ventral edge and easily separable
into one-celled divisions, or the separate cells are irregularly
coalescent presenting an unevenly lobed nutlet, or more rarely
-consolidated into a regular solid stone; when separable,
each developed nutlet contains a single pendulous seed,
composed of a slender erect radicle, and small cotyledons,
enclosed in fieshy albumen. When the nutlets are irregu-
larly coalescent the larger divisions include several distinct
and fertile cells, and in case of the complete consolidation,
the cross-section shows the open cells with inclosed embryo
imbedded in the dense woody tissue, only the larger cells
being fertile. That this variable character is not as at one
time supposed of generic value, is evident in the fact that a
488 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
continuous series can be traced from the distinctly separated
nutlets through the partially to the completely consolidated
drupe. It has seemed important to dwell on these details
of botanical characters, as it is only by a combined view of
all, that species as they exist in nature, can be properly dis-
tinguished.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
Not until such time as the species are correctly determined,
can any satisfactory views be taken of geographical distri-
bution. Judging, however, from such as are well known,
the range of species is quite strictly limited by the peculiari-
ties of soil, climate, and exposure, to which they are adapted.
This is no less true of the world-wide species A. Uva-ursi,
which in encircling the globe does not extend beyond that
degree of north latitude, or elevated exposure, which is
suited to its boreal habit, than of the analogous A. pu-
mila, Nutt., confined as far as is known to the sandy wastes
of Monterey, or the vicinity of San Francisco. Equally
may it be inferred that the peculiar Californian species will
not be found outside of the peculiar climatic conditions to
which they are adapted, the more so as their structure and
limited reproductive characters are not adapted to cosmo-
politan habits. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that
several of the more southern forms, heretofore referred to
known species, will on careful examination be found distinct,
and thus justify the opening paragraph, that California is,
par excellence, the home of the Mamanitas. Hoping at some
future time to verify or disprove these suggestions, I will
now simply indicate such species as may at present be ac-
cepted, in a preliminary synoptical arrangement, viz. :
ARCTOSTAPHYLOS, Adans.
§ UvA Ursi. Gray, Synop. Fl. II, Part I, 27; Parry Proc.
Dav. Acad. Science, Vol. lY, 31-37.
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS. 489
1. Fruit with Pyrence distinct, or more or less coalescent.
"Low prostrate shrubs.
1. A. Uva-Ursi Spreng.
The typical species on which Adanson established the
genus as distinct from Arbutus. This author did not how-
ever include the species afterwards united as A. alpina,
Spreng., which, on account of its very distinct characters, is
better referred back to an older genus Mairania, Neck. viz. :
31. alpina Desv.
2. A. pumila Nutt ; Gray, 1. c.
This species, first collected by Nuttall in 1836, and de-
scribed only from leaf specimens, has been long regarded
as a doubtful species, and is still imperfectly known. During
the present season (1887) the original locality was visited by
the writer, on sandy wastes bordering the eastern shore of
Monterey Bay. It here forms densely spreading mats,
several yards in extent, with assurgent branches, thickly
covered with small ovate or spatulate leaves, of a dull green
color, lighter beneath, pubescent when young, entire, and
short-petiolate; these conceal from view the small clusters
of fruit mature in July. The inflorescence is a contracted
raceme, with rather conspicuous veiny bracts, shorter than
the smooth pedicels, flowers small pinkish-white; the fruit
is orbicular, yellowish-brown at maturity, the separable nut-
lets closely adjoining, broadly carinate, and smooth on the
external face, occasionally partly coalescing into irregular,
two-celled stones. In the above characters it is clearly
marked as a distinct species, of very limited range, and has
been known for several years, from an isolated locality at
Lone Mountain Cemetery, San Francisco, where it was first
detected by the late Dr. Kellogg, and by him properly re-
ferred to the Nuttallian species.
490 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
3. A. Nevadensis Gray l. c.
Confined to tlie alpine districts of the Sierra Nevada, and
clearly distinguished in its peculiar habit, from the mount-
ain form of A. Manzanita, with which it is occasionally asso-
ciated.
* ^ Erect shrubs, approacJiing arborescent.
A. Hookeri Don, Gard. Diet. Ill, 836. Gray 1. c.
Arbutus ? pungens Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beech. 144.
Xerobotrys, venulosa Nutt. Benth. PL Hartw. 321.
Short depressed stems, with erect branches, forming loose
clumps 1 — 3 feet in height; young branches and petioles
closely pubescent; leaves smooth, bright green on both
sides, distinctly veined, ovate, and gradually tapering at
base to a slender twisted petiole, cartilaginous-mucronate,
and on vigorous shoots ocasionally irregularly mucronate-
serrate; inflorescence short-racemose, bracts membranous,
attenuate, longer than the smooth pedicels, deciduous in
fruit, calyx with thin ciliate margins, corolla small, narrowly
urceolate; fruit smooth, yellowish-brown at maturity (July),
orbicular, flattened horizontally, deeply umbilicate at base,
3 lines broad, 2 lines high, granular pulp rather copious,
nutlets separable, rough carinate on the back, and acute at
the ventral edge at the base, when less tiian five, one or
more coalescing to form a 2 — 3 celled stone.
Long known from all the early collectors in the vicinity
of Monterey, but poorly defined from imperfect fragmentary
material. A recent opportunity for field examination affords
the means for completing the description.
5. A. Anderson! Gray L c.
Apparently limited in range to the Santa Cruz Mountains.
6. A. tomentosa DongL Graj' L c. excl Southern and Mexican forms.
This is one of the oldest and best known species, having
been fairly well figured, and occasionally seen in cultiva-
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS. 491
tion. Notwithstanding variation in habit, and degree of
pubescence, shape of leaves, etc., it is readily distinguished
in the field, forming usually a low spreading bush, with dull
green foliage, hispidly ciliate young branches, and very con-
spicuous floral bracts, occasionally becoming foliaceous, and
generally exceeding the hairy pubescent pedicels, both the
ovar}^ and forming fruit are more or less hairy pubescent,
but not glandular. It is usually later in flower than other
species with which it is frequently associated, thus obviating
a confusion that is likely to arise from hybridization. The
fruit maturing in August shows the usual character of nut-
lets, more or less separable or coalescent. Specimens from
Southern California and Arizona, extending into Mexico
(one of which is characterized below as A. Pringlei), here-
tofore referred to this species, are clearly distinct.
7. A. Manzanita. A. ^:>2/n^ews of various authors, not HBK.
Shrubby to sub-arborescent, 5 — 25 feet in height, bark
smooth, dark reddish brown, renewed annually, younger
branches more or less closely pubescent; leaves petiolate,
about one-third the length of the blade; smooth, dull green
on both sides, entire, varying in shape from narrowly to
broadly ovate, usually obtuse at the apex, and abruptly
short mucronate, rounded or tapering at the base; inflores-
cence paniculate, the divisions more or less prolonged,
rachis hoary -pubescent, and thickening upwards, bracts
broad, acuminate, rigid and persistent, externally pubes-
cent; pedicels smooth, exceeding the bracts, calyx with
broad orbicular segments, corolla broadly urceolate, sta-
mens with slightly bearded filaments, style included; fruit
smooth, irregularly orbicular, 4 — 6 lines broad, 3 lines high,
dull white at early maturity, becoming reddish-brown with
age, nutlets irregularly coalescent, usually one or more
broader, with 3 fertile cells, with intermediate 1-celled nut-
lets, more sharply carinate, the whole including 5 — 7 fertile
cells.
492 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Varying greatly in size from a low bush in the higher
mountain districts, to a small tree, with low branching
trunk, often over a foot in diameter. It differs from the
Mexican A. pungens, HBK, to which it is has been usually
referred, in its more robust habit, its broadly obtuse foliage,
its prolonged inflorescence, size of fruit, period of flower-
ing, etc.
It is one of the earliest flowering species, often in full
bloom for Christmas decorations; in the higher mountains
the flowering period is delayed till May; fruit matures in
July and August. As a cultivated shrub it is rather shy,
but succeeds tolerably well in natural parks, where it is
least disturbed by the processes of cultivation. The leaves
of young seedlings are always sharply serrate.
The geographical range of this species, as above defined,
cannot at present be satisfactorily determined, though its
fullest development is in the lower foot-hills of the coast
range north of San Francisco, and on each side of the Sac-
ramento Yalley, thence extending in reduced forms to the
high Sierras north and south, probably crossing the range
into Nevada.
8. A. viscida. ^- gluuca in part, of various authors, notLindl.
Branching from the base 5 — 15 feet high; branches
smooth, reddish, leaves smooth glaucous, finely net-veined,
petiolate, varying from broad ovate to sub-cordate or del-
toid, entire, abruptly short -mucronate; inflorescence pro-
longed in a slender spreading panicle, rachis slender,
smooth, bracts small, oval, acuminate, pedicels densely
glandnlar-viscid, four to five times exceeding the inconspic-
uous bracts, which become coated with the copious adhe-
sive viscidity; flowers light pink, calyx with thin margins,
corolla short - urceolate, style slender, ovary smooth; fruit
orbicular, horizontally flattened, and umbilicate at the base
and summit, 3 lines broad, 2 lines high, light yellow to dull
brown at maturity; pericarp smooth, copious white granular
CALIFORNIAN MANZ ANITAS. 493
pulp enclosing 4 — 5 rliomboidal nutlets, rouglily carinate on
the back, one or more broader containing 2 — 3 fertile cells.
Forming dense thickets on the middle foot-hills of the
Sierra Nevada, from the Oregon line to Central California;
flowering in March, fruit in July, clearly distinguished by
the above characters from A. glauca, Lindl., with which it
has been confounded. The remarkable viscidity of the
pedicels, which draws out into long threads on handling,
also serves as a trap to insects, perhaps thereby serving
some use in the vegetable economy. At the time of flower-
ing it is one of the prettiest species, in the neat contrast of
flower and foliage, being also attractive to swarms of buz-
zing insects attracted by the copious stores of honey. Though
possibly shy of cultivation, its gregarious habit suggests
adaptation to park ornamentation, if grown in clumps, as in
its natural location.
9. A. Stanfordiana.
Low branching, 3 — 5 feet high, with slender dark-reddish
stems smooth throughout; leaves bright green on both
sides, narrowly ovate to oblanceolate, tapering below to a
short narrowly- winged petiole, entire and mostly mucro-
nate; inflorescence paniculate, prolonged and recurved;
rachis smooth, dark red, bracts small, rigid, acuminate;
flowers with deep red calyx and thin membranous corolla,
light pink and broadly urceolate; style slender, becoming
exsert, ovary smooth; fruit in pendent racemes, reddish yel-
low at maturity, uneven orbicular, flattened and umbilicate
at base, nutlets broader than deep, lightly connected, cari-
nate, usually two or more coalescent, more rarely all united
into. an irregular stone.
Covering extensive mountain slopes in the vicinity of
Calistoga; flowering in March, fruit in July. Dedicated to
the memory of Leland Stanford, Jr.
494 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
10. A. insularis, Greene in herb. A. pungens, Greene, Bull. Cal. A.cad.,
Vol. II, 406.
Smooth throughout; branches light-brown, young shoots
rusty green; leaves short, petiolate, ovate, narrowed at base,
obtuse, muticous, conspicuously net-veined beneath; inflo-
rescence paniculate, branching, racemes slender, prolonged,
bracts short, deltoid, pedicels glandular, hairy (flower not
seen); fruit smooth, yellowish-brown, orbicular, 3 — 4 lines
wide, 2 lines high, nutlets irregularly coalescent, the ventral
edge acute at base.
Island of Santa Cruz; E. L. Greene, July, 1886.
A symmetrically branched shrub 4 — 7 feet high, with bright
green foliage, and, judging from the fully formed buds (in
July), flowering early in the winter. It can hardly be re-
garded as an insular variety of A. manzanita, the characters
above specified seeming constant, and when observed in
full flower, it will no doubt exhibit other well marked spe-
cific distinctions.
11. A. Pringlei.
Young branches, including the petioles and margins of
the leaves, copiously ciliate-pubescent, with mixed glandu-
lar hairs, leaves short, petiolate, glaucous, minutely net-
veined, with conspicuous mid-nerves, ovate to broadly sub-
cordate, abruptly short mucronate; inflorescence closely
paniculate from a thickened base, intermixed with bud-
scales, indicating a late flowering period, racemose branches
slender, thickly covered, as w^ell as the bracts, pedicels and
calyx, with ciliate and glandular hairs, bracts lanceolate
membranous, petaloid, deciduous, bracteoles linear nearly
one-half as long, pedicels slender, divaricate, 4 — 5 times as
long as the bracts, calyx ciliate-glandular, corolla smooth,
broadly urceolate; ovary and fruit glandular, hispid, nutlets
irregularly coalescent, 5 — 7-celled.
Mountains of Lower California; C. R. Orcutt, July, 1884;
CALIFORNIAN MANZANITAS. 495
C. G. Pringle, Arizona, 1885. Distributed as A. iomentosa,
DougL, but clearly distinct.
Variety? driqjacea. Differing from the above only in the
completely consolidated stone, deeply sculptured, and
usually with a conspicuous one-sided furrow.
Mountains east of San Diego; C. B. Orcutt. No. 543;
September, 1886. Distributed as A. glcmca, Lindl. More
material desired for satisfactory determination.
Extra-limital (Mexican).
12. A. pungens HBK. excl. synonyms.
2. Pyrence iinited into a solid putamen.
13. A. glauca Lindl.
Ten to twenty-five feet in height, branching from the base,
with a trunk often more than one foot in diameter, branches
and young shoots smooth throughout; leaves glaucous green
finely net-veined, short petiolate, with a conspicuous mid
nerve, ovate to broadly sub-cordate at base, either acute and
sharply mucronate or obtuse with an abrupt mucro, young
vigorous shoots frequently irregularly serrate resembling
those of young seedlings; inflorescence paniculate prolonged
with divaricate and pendent branches, bracts rigid spreading
more or less, net-veined the lower foliaceous, pedicels 3 or 4
times exceeding the bracts, glandular-viscid (much less so
than in A. viscida); flowers rather large, otherwise similar
to allied species; fruit ovate, 9 lines long, 6 lines broad,
resinous viscid, pericarp thin without granular pulp, stone
smooth, usually sharply apiculate with regular perpendicu-
lar lines, with intervening netted veins, indicating the sepa-
rate cells (5 — 8) more or less abortive.
From Mt. Diablo extending along the Coast range to San
Fernando and foot-hills of San Bernardino. Eeadily recog-
nized from all other species by its light green glaucous
foliage, its rigidly persistent bracts, and especially by its
496 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
large solid stone. That it should be still properly included
in the Uva-ursi group is apparent from the fact that it has
all the general characters of growth and foliage belonging
to that section, and that the solid stone is made up of co-
herent cells is shown by occasional lines of division, a sharp
blow on the outside frequently breaking it along regular lines
of separation. On the other hand the species heretofore
associated with A. glauca, viz. : A. hicolor, Gray, exhibits such
widely diverse characters of stem, foliage and general habit,
as well as a perfectly solid stone, showing no indications of
coherent cells, as to justify its re-establishment under the
original name Xylococcus bicolor, Nutt.
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 497
WEST COAST PULMONATA; FOSSIL AND LIVING.
BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.
(Continued from page 376.*)
Santa Clara County.
The eastern half of this county, forming part of the Mount
Hamilton range, has been sufficiently alluded to, and the
mountainous corner of it in the map is only about half of
that part of the range included in the county, while the
same unproductive and lofty region extends nearly 200 miles
toward the southeast.
The westerly side of the county is shown to be formed by
the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains from near
the head of San Francisco Bay and Black Mountain south-
east to Pajaro River, thus enclosing Santa Clara Valley, a
triangular space of about 200 square miles, little above the
sea level. This valley, like the eastern shore of the bay,
is supplied with species washed down by the mountain
streams, but as far as known only by those from the west.
In certain moist shady spots near the streams draining it,
several species could formerly be found quite plentifully, but
as these willow groves, etc., have been mostly cleared for gar-
dens, few remain. I have thus found in the valley Nos. 1,
5, 11, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, iO, 42, 43, some of them hid-
den under logs, brush, etc., in the partial shade of the oaks,
which formerly covered about half the drier parts of the
valley. These are part of what I give in the table on page
367, as found south of the bay, and the rest naturally follow
here.
* Errata, p. 374, line 14 from bottom, for 27U read 210.
The reader will observe that throughout I have used *' Helix " in a gen-
eral way for " Helicoid species," especially Nos. 26 to 39, in table on p. 367.
35— Bull. CAl. Acad. Sci. U. 8. Issued August 25, 1887.
498 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
San Benito County,
Of this county only about 65 square miles are shown, in
the triangle northeast of Monterey County and south of
Pajaro River. Only one addition to the list is known from
there, No. 45, found at "Soap Lake," a marshy expansion
of Pajaro River, named from the great alkalinity of the
water. This mineralization of the streams, together with
the increased dryness of the county^ cut off from much of
the sea breeze by the high Gavilan range of mountains sep-
arating it from Monterey County, shows why the only Heli-
coid species known from it is No. 32, though a few others
may exist, as well as some of the smaller forms, Limacoids,
etc.
Monterey County.
This extends from Pajaro River south for over 60 miles,
and the little known of the species found south of the part
on the map has been already given. The influence of the
moisture from the ocean on this part is shown by the
abundance of several species, between Monterey and
Carmel Bays, even on the apparently unsuitable granitic
soil, which is however partly covered with tertiary cal-
careous sandstone, wooded with pine, cypress and oak.
There and elsewhere near by, are found Nos. 1, 5, 6, 11, 19,
21. 24, 25, 31, 34, 38, 41, and 42, all within 10 miles of the
sea shore, and none are known from higher or more inland
localities except No. 37, as stated on page 363. By
comparing this with previous lists it appears that while
about the same number of species occur as in Santa Clara
County, about half of them are distinct, but mostly represen-
tative forms, and added together they make only 29 found
south of San Francisco Bay, while there were 36 east of there
(one of each list doubtful). Increased heat and dryness are
the chief causes of this decrease in species.
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 499
Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties.
Returning now north of Pajaro Kiver we find the Santa
Cruz range of mountains becoming the most prominent
feature of these two counties, which have verj little level
land throughout. They rise nearly as high as those east
of the bay, thus intercepting a greater portion of the moist-
ure from the ocean than any counties yet mentioned. Most
of the species of the east slope are the same as are
found in Santa Clara Valley, but some are only found on the
mountains, and though partly south of San Francisco Bay
are included with those "west of the ba}^" because the
same influence controls their distribution. This is, the
moister and cooler climate on the west slope, and higher
parts of the range, which extends to the eastern slope north
of Black Mt., where the peninsula also becomes cooler from
the water on both sides.
Santa Cruz County especially, is more densely wooded than
any yet named, the redwood and fir, with some pine, hav-
ing once covered nearly all the west slope, with oaks and
other trees, chiefly evergreens, on the remaining surface, ex-
cept portions covered by the dense shrubbery growing on
steep slopes. This abundant shelter, with almost constant
moisture from springs, streams, and fogs, in the dry season,
and the additional element of abundant lime both in fossils
and solid strata, in some parts up to 2811 feet, make it the
most suitable region imaginable for land pulmonata. We
accordingly found that some species were very abundant
in local colonies where all these advantages were combined,
and but for the desolating effeo-ts of the terrible fires that
annually destroy parts of the forests, may supp )se that thej
would be far more abundant and generally diffused.
The same concentration of species and of colonies at low
elevations continues as was before mentioned, both decreas-
ing in abundance with elevation, which fact may be partly
explained by the greater evaporation and stronger winds
500 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
making fires more destructive, and by fewer moist sheltered
retreats existing there.
Near the town of Santa Cruz have been found Nos. 1, 3,
5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 19, 25, 26, 30, 31, 35, 39, 42, and most of
them below 200 feet only. On the slope of the mountains
northward where the pass marked 2216 crosses the summit,
the exposure to the sun seems too great for many to live
except in the deep canons, but on the northerly descent
Nos. 1, 5, 9, 11, 25, 26, 30, 33, 39, are found near the reser-
voir, about 1400 ft. alt., and down to the base of the range,
where a form occurs between 30 and 32 in character.
No. 42 lives about some little marshy lakes at summit of
the pass, where others would doubtless exist if they ever
got there. Those of Santa Clara Yalley occur sparsely, from
the foot of the pass northward, to Black Mt., where the
fossils are found up to about 2300 ft. west of the peak, but at
that elevation I found only No. 17 with 42, along a perma-
nent little springbrook, none of the large species having
got so high up. Nos. 4 and 19a have been reported so far
only from the northern part of San Mateo County, near the
Fig. 1840 on the map, and No. 41 on rotten wood near Fig.
1315 close to the sea shore and northward.
On the west slope, north of Santa Cruz, No. 3'.) reaches
Pescadero Creek and No. 35 to Purissima Creek, where I
found very large ones near its source at an elevation of about
1000 ft. approaching in characters No. 26, while the rest of
the Santa Cruz species continue into San Francisco County.
Thus we find in these two counties only 20 species and
varieties, although the conditions seem so much more favora-
ble than east of the bay, but may safely add to them Nos.
32, 40, 43, found in Santa Clara County, and doubtless en-
tering the mountains of one or both of these.
The height 1840 ft. on the map refers to Mt. Montora,
marked by a small circle west of the figure, (two summits^
there not intended for towns). The fig. 1315 is San Bruno
Mountain, near the San Francisco boundary.
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 501
The addition of Santa Clara Valley, makes a region more
similar in form and extent to that described east of the bay,
but there are 11 forms found there not known westward,
while only 3 occur westward, not found east. Probable
reasons for this will be given later, after adding species
found in the next county.
It must be remarked that the ledges of limestone are not
so productive of land shells as the fossiliferous rocks, the
former being so siliciiied as to be usually little soluble.
One runs from Pt. Pedro southeast across the range at Black
Mt. to the east base of Mt. Bache; another forms a wide
belt around the south end of the spur west of San Lorenzo
Kiver.
San Francisco County.
Although only about six miles square and so long occu-
pied by a dense population, this county shows natural ad-
vantages for the land pulmonates, superior to any around
San Francisco Bay. These consist in its sub-insular posi-
tion causing a very uniform cool climate, moisture from
sea-fogs, and sufficient lime, supplied in part by the remains
of marine animals in lately raised beaches, in part from the
calcareous veins in the older sandstone. Even the drifting
sands that formed arid hills over nearly half its western
surface contain numerous fra^-ments of sea shells and micro-
scopic polyzoa, so that where vegetation could grow on them,
land shells of all kinds flourished, aided by the dense sum-
mer fogs. Yet the higher hills, chiefly metamorphic, al-
though having many rocks and trees to shelter them, show
the same absence of these animals as elsewhere, No. 30 and
varieties ascending only to about 400 ft. and No. 20 to about
900. I regret that I did not more carefully note the alti-
tudes to which Limacoids ascend in any of the counties,
but this could only be thoroughly done in winter, when the
higher regions are not easily explored.
Although they were decimated by the domestic animals
502 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
of settlers for over twenty years, it was possible up to 1872
to finci many species during a few hours' search in the
moister and least cultivated spots west of the city, some-
times in quite large colonies, and yet hundreds of collectors
were constantly picking them up. It is indeed astonishing
that any specjes survived so long the numerous extermina-
ting influences around them ; but the fact shows what per-
sistency they possess wherever the slight moisture from
summer fogs assists in retaining their vitality, and above
all has probably for ages prevented those desolating fires
that killed everything where more luxuriant vegetation
covers the soil, and hot dry summers cause fires to rage.
For it is not only human destructiveness, or hunters' fires
that do the damage, as friction of two dry brandies by a
gentle breeze, and even the sun's heat, magnified by pass-
ing through natural lenses of resinous gums, are believed to
be among the causes of fires, even where lightning- is scarce,
and inflammable vapors may not be ignited by the sun.
That the great number found was not merely due to the
many collectors at work, is shown by the scarcity of all the
species in any similar extent of land in the neighboring
counties; for while all those of the counties southward have
been reported to be found except ten, we find added Nos.
15, 16, 18, 20, 24, which, with 1, 3, 5, 11, 12, 17, 19,
20, 21, 25, 26, 30, 31, 41, 42, 43, make twenty-one forms
known in the county, to twenty-three in the three large
counties next southward, and for the whole region west of
San Francisco Bay a total of twenty-nine; while Nos. 14,
34, 37, 38, 39, 44, 45, are found only farther south, and
Nos. 2, 7, 8, 14, 22 ?, 23, 28, 36, 37, 44, 45, occur on
the east but not the west side of the bay. Of tliese,Nos.
7, 8, 14?, 28, 37, 44, 45, may be considered regional varia-
tions, due to climatic influences of analogous forms found
on the west side, or, more strictly stated, the west side
forms have varied from previously existing eastern forms.
There is a possibility that cultivation and preservation of
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 503
large tracts in parks, etc., well watered, and protected from
other animals, may favor the increase of some or all of the
species in this and other counties. I have known of Nos.
1, 3, 5, 16, 17, 21, 26, 30 and its varieties to be found in
gardens, while 3 and 16 are imported species, always
increasing with cultivation. East of the bay, Nos. 2, 20
and 21 have also been found in gardens.
Marin County.
This county, though lying partly west of the waters con-
nected with San Francisco Bay, and only separated from
the last by a narrow channel, differs so much that it is bet-
ter grouped with those northward. Before visiting that
region, I supposed that the mountains so prominent in that
direction must be far better suited to produce land-j)ulmo-
nates than the low sandy peninsula, or the drier and less
wooded hills southward.
But while exploring Marin County very carefully, I found
none at all on the east slope except near the base of Mount
Tamalpais, on Angel Island, wliere a few only exist,
and close to the marshy shores of San Pablo Bay, about
Indian mounds or in thickets. Those known there, all quite
scarce, are Nos. 1, 4 or 5, 6, 9 or 10, 11 or 12, 23, 30, 31,
42, 43. Connected with this scarcity, we find a new influ-
ence beginning to appear, in the occurrence along the north-
east slojDe of the county, of volcanic rocks, as will be later
mentioned more fully.
Most of this eastern slope consists of metamorphic rocks^
thinly covered, and with little lime, while trees and shrub-
bery are found only in canons or on rocky ridges. A few
redwoods grow at the east base of Mount Tamalpais, while
other coniferous trees occur about the summit, and more
abundantly toward the north and west, where they give dense^
damp shelter in some localities. Between Mount Tamal-
pais and Bolinas Bay the tertiary fossiliferous strata cover
the west slope, and there are found Nos. 11, 25, 26, 36, be-
504 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
sides those last given. Of these I found only No. 11 up to
1200 feet elevation. The triangular peninsula, 1436 feet
high, west of Tomales Bay, is chiefly of tertiary strata, but
in parts granitic, with much sandy and marshy land about
Drake's Bay, quite a dense coniferous forest covering much
of its surface. Being also exposed to the sea breeze and
fogs, it would seem better adapted for the pulmonates than
San Francisco County, which has a similar extent, but so far
few species have been brought from there. Along the east-
erly slope of the ridge a ledge of limestone is exposed, but
I could not find any species near it, nor on the higher parts
of the peninsula. From the west slope I have received
varieties of No. 30, chiefly that often called " Nickliniana"
which differs from No. 33 in a thicker shell, with a coarsely
wrinkled surface, often blotched with whitish patches. This
variation is caused by the influence of the spray from the
ocean sprinkling the growing shells among the shrubbery
just within the sand hills of the beach, where they are some-
times quite numerous, and the same effect is j^roduced on
several other species growing in similar situations all along
the coast. From this, I infer, arose the reference of ' 'A.
NicMiniana'' to San Diego, where a similar variety of A.
Kelletii is found.
Marin County thus has only fifteen forms. This great
diminution in number of species where conditions seem
favorable for more, will be better understood after describ-
ing those of the remaining counties.
The figures along the sea coast give the heights of almost
perpendicular rocky bluffs, which like the steep Farallone
Islands, are chiefly of granite or hard metamorphic rock.
Angel Island and all the others near the entrance of the
bay, are also chiefly of this nature, and have furnished very
few Pulmonata, but Mare Island is tertiary, and supplied
more.
Sonoma County.
Little more than half of this is shown on the map, but
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 505
enough for present purposes. Near the boundary of Marin
County some of the hills are only about three hundred feet
in height, allowing the sea breeze to pass inland with almost
as much force as at San Francisco Bay, and their desicca-
ting effect in summer is shown by the absence of trees over
most of the west slope as far north as the low depression
extends. But a little north of Bodega Bay the tertiary sand-
stones begin to extend over the metamorphic rocks farther
inland, rise higher, and accompanied by a dense forest of
redwood, etc., soon covering almost the whole surface of
the country near Russian River. The fossils are numerous
in this sandstone in many places, being as late as the plio-
cene epoch along Mark West Creek, twenty-five miles in-
land. The pulmonates of Marin County here become more
numerous, extending north throughout the whole width of
Sonoma County (excepting limited portions of metamorphic
rocks), with increase of numbers, size and perfection. Nos.
10, 27, 29, are apparently varieties produced by improved
conditions, especially increase of moisture, lime, shelter,
and vegetation suited to their natures. There is no doubt
tliat close search would reveal many others of the bay list
there, if not new forms, the smaller kinds being slowl}^ dis-
covered. Among them. No. 28 is likely to be found living.
Fort Ross, in the northwest corner of the map, is the
locality where Nuttall obtained some of the types, wrongly
credited to San Diego.
Na]L)a County.
The first appearance of volcanic rocks in any great amount
has been mentioned as occurring on the northeast slope of
Marin County, and they reappear in abundance on Sonoma
Mountain, marked 2292 feet high on the map, thence con-
tinuing to form most of the mountain ridge which divides
that county from Napa, and covering most of Napa County,
extend northwest along the boundary between Lake and
Mendocino Counties. Though not active in recent times,
606 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
there are many old craters on this ridge, the first one met
with being Mount St. Helena, of which the summit is nine
miles north of the map, on the north boundary of Napa
County. There are, however, numerous sulphur and hot
springs, which show that the volcanic forces h ive not yet
died out, and the region covered more or less by volcanic
materials extends entirely across the ridge west of Napa
Creek, and over most of that east of it, as far at least as the
heads of streams running into the Sacramento basin. We
thus have a region about twenty-five miles wide of volcanic
materials, alternating with tertiary deposits containing
fossil wood, lignite and other terrestrial products, but no
fossil shells yet known. Lime is therefore scarce, and the
still heated mineral waters show that during the deposition
of these strata animal or vegetable life must have been
interrupted as far as the volcanic influence extended, either
by flows of lava, hot water or ashes, until the quaternary
epoch.
I explored Sonoma Mountain, the head of Napa Yalley,
and the whole shore of Clear Lake , finding very few land
pulmonates, though six aquatic forms inhabit the lake,
as well as six non-pulmonate mollusca, while some are also
found in several of the creeks of the region, but much fewer
than we might expect. This may be considered further
proof that these streams have been not long ago heated or
mineralized enough to destroy mollusca. Of land species,
I can only mention Nos. 1, 4 (or 5), 9 (or 10), 43, 45, as
certainly found in the volcanic region, most of which re-
quire scarcely any lime, and the two last are almost aquatic.
East of this region we find the foothills forming the east
slope of the Coast range, about the headwaters of Putah
Creek, composed of cretaceous and tertiary rocks contain-
ing fossils, and iiere are again found, forty-five miles inland,
some of the land shells of tlie west slope, which, with the ex-
tensive and luxuriant forest covering much of the country,
indicates that the climate is much less arid than along the
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 507
tertiary east slope south of the great rivers. I did not
reach that region on the geological survey, but Dr. Yates
found there Nos. 11, 25, 36, 37 in considerable numbers,
and No. 37 also along the. outlet of Clear Lake near
lat. 39°, where it cuts through the same fossiliferous strata,
although not existing around the lake itself. Here we have
almost certain proof that No. 37 is not a variety of 36, both
living together unchanged. Fig. 2224 is the highest point
on the southeast boundary, at the angle west of the figures.
Solano County.
A volcanic ridge runs north, from west of Suisun Creek
into Napa County, but the rest of Solano is of cretaceous
and tertiary strata containing fossils, excepting the plain
sloping eastward from about two hundred feet elevation to
the marshes, where only Limacoid and Succinoid species
are known to exist.
Mare Island, of pliocene formation, containing bones of
land quadrupeds, is the most northern and western known
locality of No. 32. No. 25 occurs near there, and Nos. 44
and 45 are to be looked for as in Contra Costa near the
marshes, from Suisiin Creek eastward. No. 14, first found
in Trinity County, must be expected there, also some of the
northern forms that occur Avestward. Small varieties of
Nos. 26 and 30 have been found near the borders of Napa
County, as in Contra Costa County, but not along any
streams of the Sacramento basin.
GEOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEDUCTIONS.
I. The marine pliocene fossils found along Mark West
Creek, Sonoma County, in San Mateo County, Pajaro Val-
ley, and northeast of Mount Diablo, now elevated at all
these points about 300 feet above the sea, show that Marin
County, San Francisco County, and the Santa Cruz Moun-
tains, once formed islands 300 feet or more lower in the
508 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ocean than now, and the Mount Diablo range, if not an
archipelago, was nearly surrounded by water. In this, great
beds of pliocene gravels, containing remains of land an-
imals, Avere deposited by the streams running from the
Mount Hamilton range, while Livermore Valley probably
contained a large lake, discharging tlirough Walnut Creek,
before the present Alameda Creek cut through the western
hills. Fossil fresh water shells found along branches of
Walnut Creek both east and west, near Mission Peak, etc.,
show that lakes or marshes were extensive in pliocene and
quaternary times.
II. No extinct land -pulmonata have been found with
these fresh water forms (of which several are extinct), but
in hit n- beds on Walnut Creek, containing living fresh water
forms, are two living land species, Nos. 32 and 33, showing
that they were the first of the group to appear in the center
of the range they now inhabit east of the Bay. These fossils
are plainly quaternary, and the living shells of these two
forms become more or less graded into 30, 31, 35, etc.,
toward the west and south, indicating probably that they
may have been the original stock from which the latter were
derived. From Marin County a specimen of No. 35 (?) has
been brought in a fossil state, unlike those now living
southward, being the only evidence known of any fossil
forms north of the bay.
III. These few evidences show that the forms of the
most characteristic group occurring in the bay region, the
Ariontce, are either indigenous, or derived from the coast
range northward, and have colonized the region during the
quaternary epoch, no preceding extinct forms having been
discovered there, and no evidence of a transition direct
from the Sierra Nevada.
IV. The species given in the table as found also in the
Sierras, are, 1st, Limacoid, and therefore easily carried by
floods without injury; 2d, Vitrinoid, mostly very small, and
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 509
supposed to have their eggs transported by adhesion to the
feet of birds, although No. 11 may, as before remarked, have
spread independently along the two ranges from the north;
3d, Nos. 24 and 25 (?), which may have been spread like
the Yitrinoid species; 4th, No. 40, probably in the same
way; 5th, Nos. 42 to 45, which may be spread by birds, or,
being semi-aquatic, by aid of floods.
V. Considering that none of the Helicoid species are
found above 1000 feet east of, and 1400 feet west of the
bay, and that they could spread only by crawling (except
when shells or eggs were washed downivard for short dis-
tances without injury], we must conclude that they reached
the shores of the region by floods chiefly from the north,
and landed at heights between the present sea-level and the
elevations just given. As they can ascend with more diffi-
culty than Limacoids, they go less high up, and five hundred
feet ascent is a liberal allowance for them to have climbed
in any numbers. Subtracting this from their highest known
ranges, we may assume that they reached the east side of
the bay when the land was five hundred feet low^er than
now, the sea - shore being about two hundred and fifty feet
above the fossil bed of Walnut Creek, and as the land
rose, gradually spread downward into the valleys, and up-
ward on the hills. Those of the Santa Cruz range would
then have colonized that side when it was nine hundred
feet lower than now, which may have been about the same
period, as the more western range has probably risen more
in the same length of time than the eastern, and the whole
elevation has been during quaternary times.
YI. The much less abundance and limited diffusion of
the species known from the counties north of the ba3^, within
the limits of the map, in spite of the moister and cooler
climate, can only be explained by the influence of vol-
canic forces there, and scarcity of lime along the
central ridge of the coast mountains. The twenty -one
510 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
forms known there, favored by climate, have extended them-
selves farther eastward than south of the "Golden Gate,'
and several large kinds are found east of the volcanic belt,
that probably reached there before the last period of vol-
canic activity buried the "fossil forest," and much life with
it. The occurrence of a few species throughout the volcanic
region, and of several others at points near its borders,
shows that Limacoids spread most rapidly over it, and those
with thin shells next, Avhile the large Helicoids were last to
obtain a foothold on it.
YII. While it might be supposed that Nos. 30 to 35
could have more easily reached the Bay region from the
southward, on account of the courses of most of the present
streams, there is no fossil evidence that they ever existed
in that direction south of Monterey Bay; while Nos. 26 to
30, and 36, still have their living allies toward the north.
That they spread southward at different periods seems also
proved by the various distances they have reached, and by
the few fossils known.
YIII. Thus we do not find that No. 36 was ever able to
cross the salt waters of the Golden Gate to San Francisco
County, but can easily believe that it could have been
washed down Suisun Creek and across the strait during the
winter floods, landing nearly opposite Mare Island, and
thence spreading along the moist western slope of the hills
to its present terminus, thirty-six miles southward. That it
is a very late colonist there, is also proved by its not having
been carried across Santa Clara Valley to the Santa Cruz
Mountains, which are better suited for it, while most of the
forms of 26 and 30 seem to have drifted over there, and
flourished more generally than on the east side. The five
or six Helicoid forms out of the tweniy-one found in San
Francisco County probably reached there in that way, the
others coming in the general modes before mentioned. Had
they been carried there by floods from the large rivers
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 511
they would probably have lauded as ofteu ou the uorth
shore of the Goldeu Gate, aud become as pleuty iu the cool
damp localities ou the west side of Marin County, and more
common on tlie islands of the Bay.
IX. The migration of No. 36 being thus explained, and
the general course of distribution of other Helicoids indi-
cated, Ave can now see how Xo. 37 may be derived from C.
traskii by a migration from the Sierra Nevada, but in an
opposite direction. The sketch of the distribution of C.
trcishii given on pps. 361 to 364 shows that it intergrades
wdth No. 38 on the coast southward, which may sufficiently
account for the origin and range northward of 38 and 39, as
they cannot be traced to any form now living within 500
miles north of No. 39. By a quicker route C. trasldi might
have easily been washed down the San Joaquin Valley to
the east slope of the coast mountains almost anywhere, but
did not find a suitable region for increase until reaching the
gap of the Bay region. Any of them landing on the north
shores of the strait would ascend along the banks of streams
and thus spread to their present northern limit about 50 miles
north of the Bay, but have not crossed the volcanic belt to
the west side of the Coast range. South of the straits we
also find that they have not gone west of the figure 485 in Ala-
meda County, though an allied form reaches Salinas Eiver
from the southward. This seems a more natural mode of
distribution for this form than that before suggested.
Here again the present location of its nearest allies
points to its origin, while on the other hand that of
the Ariontce is as plainly traceable to the northern
coast ranges instead of the -Sierra Nevada. The species
found there could apparently be as easily washed down, but
seems not to have become colonized.
X. Although there is such a general resemblance in form
between Nos. 32 and 37 that Mr. Binney has considered
them closely related and mixed them in his figures, I con-
512 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
sider this as merely analogical, caused by the general law
before stated, that the varieties of each group are more de-
pressed and umbilicate the farther from the coast. Thus
we find No. 32 passing into higher forms of 30 to the west,
and one variety between 30 and 31 is imperforate though
depressed. In the same way C. trashii and 37 pass into 38
and 39 near Monterey bay.
A similar effect of climate is observed in the passage of
No. 28 toward 26, 27, and 29, in the cooler moister regions
west and north, and perhaps into 35 southward. The vari-
eties 30 to 34 seem to have diverged from 33 (or 32) east of
the bay, though 30 and 34 are now more abundant on the
west side. No. 41 seems also the coast form of No. 40.
On the other hand No. 6 may have varied into 7 and 8, which
are not known westward. No. 11 seems to have changed
into 13 and 14 toward the dry east and south slopes, while
36 has before been traced by intergrades to C. Jidelis, the
northern form as old as miocene times.
XI. The greater extent of both salt and fresh waters
through the Bay region, in early quaternary times, no doubt
caused a more moist and uniform climate to prevail through-
out the Bay region, and was more favorable to the growth
and diffusion of Pulmonata than the present epoch. Then
the conditions were similar around Livermore Valley to
those of Monterey now, and to this I attribute the existence
there of No. 34, a few of which still survive toward Cedar
Mountain.
XII. In the article on tlie ''Influence of Climate and
Topography on our Trees," (Proc. Cal. Acad. V. 285, 1874),
relating to the same region included in the map now given,
I showed that very few species occurred in San Francisco
County, while they increase in numbers of both species and
individuals up to 60 miles in nearly all directions. This
was attributed to the violence of the summer winds near the
WEST COAST PULMONATA. 513
bay, causing too rapid desiccation of the surface to allow of
the growth of seedlings, and favoring destructive fires.
It now seems that the effects of the winds in the lower
parts of the Bay region, except so far as they spread fires
in the forests, are an advantage to pulmonates, which
have always been most numerous nearest to the
entrance of the bay. This does not, however, prove
that they are independent of forests, for these fur-
nish them with shelter and food more abundantly
than where no trees exist, so that the finest specimens
are found in the forests, though perhaps less frequent,
or harder to find. There is also a connection between cer-
tain forms and certain groups of trees, as I stated in the
synopsis, (Proc. Gal. Acad., III., 260 and 336-7, 1866).
XIII. That the Bay region is, from physical configura-
tion, the best suited for commerce, and a large population,
of any on the coast, is a coincidence that may be favorable
to the increase of land pulmonates. We find already that
three species have become naturalized (though not desirable
additions) and the protection from fires, irrigation in sum-
mer, cultivation of trees, and destruction of many native
enemies, such as carnivorous quadrupeds and some birds,
may balance the injuries from cultivation. Some kinds are
indeed so numerous already as to be troublesome, especially
the Limacoids, in gardens near wet grounds.
XIV. The great difference in distribution of species
near the bays from that in the Sierra Nevada may now be
explained.
1st. The Sierra having been elevated probably before the
tertiary ejDOcli (though no terrestrial fossils yet prove ifc),
was a high range before the miocene land shells of Oregon
existed, and they extended over it at an elevation between
1000 and 5000 feet of its present height.
2d. It has continued to rise during the tertiary epoch
and since, so that we find the large Helicoids dwarfed at
35— Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II. 8. Issued August 25. 1887.
514 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
5000 to 5500 feet elevation, though tlie degree of cold
there has not destroyed them.
3d. The great differences of climate in different zones of
the Sierra, cause more distinct limitation of species by differ-
ent elevations than in the coast range near the sea shore, but
as shown by the distribution of C. traskii and varieties, it is
less apparent at a distance from the Bay region, both north-
ward and southward, where the two ranges of mountains
are crowded together. Toward the coast, every group be-
comes more varied into sub-species, and larger colonies of
most of them are found.
4th. The more equable and moister climate near the
coast evidently makes it possible for many forms to live
together that are more or less limited on the Sierra Nevada
to special zones, and this is most apparent nearest to the
seashore.
There is an approach in tlie Santa Cruz range to a higher
zone of Vitrinoids and probably of Limacoids. The latter
are found, like the Succineas, in the Sierra, both at their
base, in damp grounds, and at nearly 6000 feet altitude,
though rare between.
XV. To give a practical point to this long article, it may
be remarked, that, althougli the ancient practice of feeding
human pulmonates on Helicoid pulmonates as a cure for
lung diseases has been justly abandoned (marine mollusca
being far preferable i, yet they are still much sought for by
European epicures, as great delicacies, and may be worth
cultivation for this purpose.
It may be added that the search for them in the groves
around the bays has been found by the writer one of the
most beneficial modes of exercise in his own experience,
when threatened with pulmonary consumption. Thus they
may benefit health without internal use, and make outdoor
exercise more interesting to those who need it, than if taken
without any other purpose tlian to gain strength.
THE FLORA OF THE COAST ISLANDS. 515
THE FLORA OF THE COAST ISLANDS OF CALIFORNIA IN RE-
LATION TO RECENT CHANGES OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
BY JOSEPH LE CONTE.
Read September 5, 1887.
Some of the results reached by Mr. E. L. Greene in his
studies of the flora of the islands off the coast of Southern
California^ have deeply interested me, because I believe their
explanation may be found in geologically recent changes in
the physical geography of California.
These remarkable islands, 8 or 10 in number, are strung
along the coast from Point Concepcion southward, and
separated from the mainland by a sound 20 — 30 miles wide.
They are of considerable size (the largest being about 200
square miles in extent), and vary in height from 1,000 to
3,000 feet. They have all the characteristics of continental
islands, and are undoubtedly outliers of the mainland, at
one time connected with it, but now separated by subsidence
of the continental margin. They may be regarded as the high-
est points of the old coast range outside of the present coast
range, the broad valley between the two being now covered
with water. Moreover, the date of the separation may be
determined with certainty. That they were connected with
the mainland during the later Pliocene and early Quaternary
is proved by the fact that remains of the mammoth have
been found on Santa Rosa, the largest and one of the far-
thest off of them. t They ivere, therefore, undouUedly sepa-
rated during the Quaternary Period.
The main points in Mr. Greene's paper with which we are
here concerned are the following :
*Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent, YI. E. L.
Greene. 1— Notes on the Botauj- of Santa Cruz Island. Bull. 7 Cal. Acad.
Sci.
iProc. Cal. Acid, of Sci. vol. V., 152.
516 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
1. Out of 296 species of plants collected by him on the
island of Santa Cruz, no less than 48 are entirely peculiar
to these islands, and 28 peculiar to Santa Cruz itself.
2. Of the remaining 248 species nearly all are distinct-
ively Oali/ornian — that is, species peculiar to California are
very abundant, while common American species, i. e., those
common to California and other parts of North America,
are very few and rare. The flora as a whole, therefore, may
be regarded as distinctively Californian, with the addition
of a large number of species wholly peculiar to the islands.
3. A number of rare species found in isolated patches,
and, as it were, struggling for existence, in the southern
counties — San Diego and San Bernardino — are found in
great abundance and very thriving condition on the islands.
4. Lavateray a remarkable malvaceous genus of which
18 species are known in the Mediterranean region, and one
from Australia, but not a single species on the American Conti-
nent, is represented on these islands by four species. This is
certainly a most remarkable and significant fact.
Such are the facts. I account for them as follows:
California, especially the region west of the Sierra
Nevada, is geologically very recent. The Sierra region was
reclaimed from the sea at the beginning of the Cre-
taceous, and the coast region as late as the beginning
of the Pliocene. "When first emerged the coast region
was of course colonized from adjacent parts. This col-
onization was probably mainly from Mexico, either di-
rectly or through the Sierra region; for the distinct-
ively Californian plants, though peculiar, are more like
those of Mexico than any other. Whencesoever it may
have been colonized, however, the environment was suffi-
ciently peculiar, the isolation sufficiently complete, and the
time has been sufficiently long to make a very distinct flora.
THE FLORA OF THE COAST ISLANDS. 517
According to Wallace, it is one of the primary divisions of
the Nearctic Region.
During the late Pliocene and early Quaternary, as already
seen, the islands were still a part of the mainland, and the
whole was occupied by the same flora, viz: the distinctively
Californian (with some differences doubtless), now found in
both, together with the peculiar island-species.
During the oscillations of the Quaternary the then west-
ernmost coast range was separated by subsidence, and has
remained ever since as islands. Simultaneously with, or
after, this separation, came the invasion of northern species ,
driven southward by glacial cold. Then followed the
mingling of invaders with the natives, the struggle for
mastery, the extermination of many (viz : the peculiar island
species), and perhaps the slight modification of all, and the
final result is the California flora of to-day. But the island
flora was saved from this invasion by isolation, and there-
fore far less changed than the flora of the mainland, i. e.,
the" invading species are mostly wanting, and many species
survived there which were destroyed, or else modified into
other species, on the mainland, and the remainder prob-
ably less modified than on the mainland. The flora of
these islands, therefore, represents somewhat nearly the
character of the flora of the whole country during the
Pliocene times. Some modification they have doubtless
suffered, but the time has been too short for any great change
in the absence of severe competition.
The question naturally arises, " How is it that with a
separation of only 20 — 30 miles the two floras — insular and
mainland — have not become entirely similar by mutual
colonization ?" The prevailing winds being landward would,
I suppose, largely prevent the colonization of common
American forms on the islands, although some such coloni-
zation has in fact taken place. But with the prevailing-
winds in this direction, why have not all the peculiar island
species been long ago colonized on the mainland? Accord-
518 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
ing to the view above presented the answer is evident.
These peculiar species did once inhabit the mainland and
have been either destroyed or transformed in the struggle
with invaders. They are therefore iveaker species. The
same unfitness which made them succumb then, still forbids
their successful colonization. This brings me to the next
point.
There are quite a number of rare and peculiar forms found
struggling for existence in the southern counties which are
found very abundant on the islands. This certainly looks
like the beginnings of colonization. This is indeed Mr.
Greene's view, and is rendered all the more probable by the
fact that the ocean currents probably drift in that direction.
But there is at least another explanation suggested by the
view above presented. These may be, and probably are,
remnants of Pliocene indigenes still undestroyed, but ready
to perish. From this point of view their place far south
is just what we might expect, for the main invasion was
from the north.
But there is still a last point to be explained. Lavateras
are unknown in the New World, except on these islands,
where there are four species. But they are found in the
Old World, in the Mediterranean region and in Australia.
Mr. Greene suggests, as a possible explanation, a former
connection of these islands with some other continent. I think
not. The substantial permanence of continental land masses
and oceanic basins, with only marginal changes, at least
during later geological times — taken together with the com-
parative recency of the flora of California — renders this ex-
planation extremely improbable. The above presented
view suggests another and far more probable explanation.
The existence of Lavateras in such widely separated
localities as Australia, the Mediterranean region and the
coast islands of California, shows unmistakably that existing
species are but remnants of an old, once very abundant and
widely spread genus, with numerous species. They are now
THE FLORA OF THE COAST ISLANDS. 519
dying out. They have been mostly destroyed and replaced
by newer and stronger forms. I conclude, therefore, that
in Pliocene times several species of Lavatera existed all over
the coast region of California, but probably mostly in the
then coast range, viz: the islands; for they love the sea
coast. They have all been destroyed by change of environ-
ment, physical and organic, except those isolated on the
islands and thus saved from the effects of invasion.
Eeaders of Mr. Wallace's ''Island Life" will at once see
the analogy between this explanation of the flora of ou-
coast islands and Mr. Wallace's explanation of the mamma
lian fauna of Madagascar. The mammalian fauna of Africa,
south of Sahara, consists of two very distinct groups — the
one indigenous or descendents of Tertiary indigenes, and
remotely resembling that of Madagascar, the other evidently
foreign and resembling that of Eurasia in 3Iiocene and Plio-
cene times. During Tertiary times Africa was isolated
from Eurasia, but united with Madagascar, and the
whole inhabited by a peculiar fauna, characterized by
lemurs, insectivores, etc., which we have called indigenes.
About middle Tertiary times, Madagascar was separated,
and immediately divergence between the two faunas com-
menced. In later Tertiary and early Quaternary, the
barrier which separated Africa from Eurasia was removed,
and the great Eurasian animals invaded Africa, and imme-
diately became the dominant type. In the struggle which
ensued, many species, especially of tlie weaker indigenes,
were destroyed, and all on both sides modified. The result
is the African fauna of to-day. Madagascar was saved from
this invasion by isolation. The fauna there consists of the
greatly modified descendants of the African Tertiary indi-
genes, but far less modified than their congeners in Africa.
In the fauna of Madagascar, therefore, we have the nearest
approach to the Tertiary indigenes of both.
The difference between the two cases is this : In the case
of Madagascar the separation has been very long. The
520 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
extreme peculiarity of its fauna is the result partly of pro-
gressive divergence and partly of many forms saved by isola-
tion. In the case of the coast islands of California, the
separation is comparatively recent — there has not been time
enough for very great divergence by modification. The
peculiarity of its flora is due almost wholly to species saved
by isolation .
In conclusion I would say, that this short paper is intended
merely as as incentive to future investigation and pointing
in the direction which it ought to take. Before the views
above presented can be definitely established, there must be
further investigations, first, on the relation of the island
flora to that of the mainland; second, on the relation of the
flora of California to that of adjacent points from which it
may have been originally colonized; third, and especially,
must we have fuller knowledge of the indigenous flora of
California in Pliocene times.
PRIORITY OF KELLOGG's GENUS MARAH. 521
PRIORITY OF DR. KELLOGG'S GENUS MARAH OVER
MEGARRHIZA Toir.
BY MARY K. CUERAN.
A recent paper^ by Mr. Watson, in which he reaffirms the
genus Ifegarrhiza Torr., renders necessary the following
statement of the date and circumstances of publication of
the first volume of the Proceedings of this Society, more
especially as silence on our part would do injury to our ven-
erable pioneer botanist recently dead.
That the eminent author of the above paper has been
misled by the ambiguous language of some of our publica-
tions is quite possible; his own is however equally so, for
as will be noticed, although seeming to deny the priority of
Marah, he does not specifically do so, and fails to give reasons
for his preference of 3Iegarrlii%a.
Mr. Watson says :
' ' In the years 1854 and 1855 the same plant and similar
Californian species were collected by the botanists of the
Pacific Kailroad surveys, and specimens were submitted to
Dr. Torrey for determination. Some of these species were
also known to Dr. Kellogg, of San Francisco, and in March,
1855, he described one of them under the name Marah
muricatus, noting at the same time its near relationship to
Echinocijstis lohata. In June, however, of the same year, he
appears to have silently discarded or to have forgotten his
new genus, for he then describes another species of the
*The Genera Echinocystis, Megarrhiza and Echinopepon : Sereno Watson.
Bull. Torr. Clnb. XIV. " 155. August, 1887.
522 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
' giant root ' as Echinocystis muricatus. These publications
were made in the columns of a daily newspaper. Dr. Torrey,
in ignorance of this and as a result of his study of the Gov-
ernment collections made under Lieutenants Whipple, Parke
and Williamson, referred the plants to a new genus which
he called Megarrliiza, publishing a species {M. Galifornica)
in Parke's report in 1856 and authorizing the enumeration
of that species and of M. Oregmia in Newberrj^'s report upon
Williamson's plants. The descriptions of the genus and
species he delayed, intending to give them in full in con-
nection with his report upon the collections made by Lieut.
Whipple. The publication of this report, however, was not
made until 1857, and in the meantime he learned through
Dr. Andrews of Kellogg's genus Marah. Consequently,
and more especially on account of the difficulty of deter-
mining, from the scarcity of the materials, whether there
was really more than one species, he omitted from the re-
port all reference to the matter, and nothing more was pub-
lished by him on the subject. Nevertheless, the genus
Megarrliiza was recognized by Dr. Gray in 1859, in his list
of Xantus' Lower California plants, and in 1860, in the
Botany of Ives' Report."
In the above account it will be observed that the author
ignores the publication of Marah in Proc. Cal. Acad., I, 38,
which was not later than April, 1855. An error of this kind
can only be explained by supposing that Mr. Watson had
never seen the first edition, of which only 250 copies were
issued, nor read the preface to the reprint.
The publication of the Proceedings of the California
Academy of Sciences was begun in September, 1854. Vol.
I was reprinted in 1876, and in the preface the editor. Prof.
R. E. C. Stearns, now of the Smithsonian Institution, says:
'* The Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural
Sciences for the period included in this volume, were orig-
inally printed in a newspaper called The Pacific, published
PRIORITY OF KELLOGG's GENUS MARAH. 523
in San Francisco; the columns were afterward re-arranged,
with but little regard for uniformity and size into double-
column pages approximating to octavo, and printed four
pages to a signature."
The exact date of issue of these folio sheets cannot now
be determined, but it was certainly in each case less than a
month after the meeting reported. The limited font of a
weekly paper of that time would not admit of the withdrawal
of much type locked up in galleys. Most of the earh^ folios
bear the signature date, which is at any rate approximately
correct.
Scattered through the minutes of this Society in 1854-1855
are brief notes recording the issue of these signatures, and
OQ February 5, 1885, a letter was received from the Imperial
Academy of Sciences at Berlin acknowledging the receipt
of the first, so that it is probable that the large societies
of Europe are better informed concerning this question
of priority than our friends at home.
A full list of the plants described by Dr. Kellogg with
their dates and media of publication is to be found in Bull.
Cal. Acad., Vol. I, 128. In that paper it was taken for
granted that the date of publication of the volumes of our
Proceedings was sufficiently well known. This would seem
from Mr, Watson's paper to have been, at least in his case,
a mistake.
As to the statement that Dr. Kellogg gave up his genus
Marah when he published Echinocystis muricatus, the fact of
his using the same specific name for the second plant is
conclusive evidence that he considered them generically
distinct, and if further proof were needed it is furnished
by his publication of Marah minima four years later. This
is, however, a matter of small consequence, as the prevail-
ing opinion of biologists seems to be that over a name once
published the author has no more rights than any other
person.
524 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Into the question of sufficiency of a weekly, not ''daily,"
newspaper as a medium of publication, or the validity of
Marah as a genus distinct from Echinocystis, it is not now
necessary to enter; they have been already treated by pens
far abler than mine.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
525
INDE X.
Ababachis 38,209, 211, 228, 230
nactus 230
pallidiceps 209, 230
Abronia criix-maltse 444
iQaritima 411
umbellata 411
Accipiter Cooperi 421
velox 420, 426
Aeer macropbyllum 393
Achillea millefolium 404
Achyi-achseria mollis 403
Actidium 248
rotundicolle 166, 248
Actium 201, 472
calif orniciim 455, 476
pallidum 456, 472, 473, 482
politum 456, 473
robustulum 456, 474, 476
testaceum 456, 475, 476
Adenostoma fasciculatum 397
Aderocharis 229, 232
Adiantum capillus-veneris 415
pedatum. 4:15
^cidium 441, 442
abundans 440
calystegiae 441
euphorbise 440
phaceUae 440
roestelioides 440
^gialitis vocifera 425
Agelaius gubernator 428
tricolor 428
Aglenus brxmneus 262
Agropyrum repens 415
Alexia 355
Alders, Pacific Coast 351
Allium lacteum 129, 142
Tilingi 129, 142
Alnus incana, var. viridescens 351
maritima 351
oblongifolia 351. 352, 354
rhombif olia 351, 352, 354
rubra 351, 353
Amarantus albus 411
Amaurouyx Maerkeli 197
Amblyopappus pusillus 404
Ambrosia psilostacbya 402
Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudi-
nus 422, 429
Ampelis cedrorum 305
Amphichroiim 235
alutaceum 236, 241
crassicorne 239, 241
flavicorne 235, 240
floribundum 236, 240
Ifevicolle 240
macialatum 240
opaculum 241
pilosellum 237, 241
puberulum 241
scutatum 240
sparsum 240
testaceum 240
veterator 238, 240, 241
Amphispiza belli 429
Amsinckia intermedia 407
lycopsoides 407
Anacalais 50
Androstephium 129
Anisopbyllum 56
Anser albifrons gambeli 279
Anthostomella perfidiosa 445
Anthribus albinus 66
Antbus pensilYanicus 307
Antirrhinum Nuttallianum 408
strictum 409
Aphanocalais 45
Aphelocoma calif ornica 422, 427
Aphyllon tiiberosum 409
Apiastrum angustif olium 399
Aplopappus squarrosus 400
Apocellus 232
brevipennis 234
niger 232
Aquila chryssetus 421
Archibuteo f errugineiis 421
Arctostaphylos 483, 488
Andersoni 486, 490
bicolor 496
diversifolia 406
glanca 484, 495
Hookeri 490
insularis 494
manzanita 484, 491
Nevadensis 490
Pringlei 491, 494
var. drupacea 495
piuuila". 488, 489
526
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Arctosiaphylos pungeus.. .406, 484, 495
Staufordiana 485, 493
tomentosa 406, 490
viscida 484, 492
uva-ursi 483, 488, 489
Arabis filifolia 390
Arbutus pungens 490
Argemone corymbosa 59
Ariolimax californicus 3C7
columbianiis 367
niger 367
andersonii 367
hemphilli 367
Arionta arrosa 367
arboretorum 367
holderiana 367
stiversiana 367
californiensis 367
bridgesii 367
exarata 367
nemorivaga 367
ramentosa 367
vincta 367
Artemisia Californica 404
Ludoviciaua 404
Arthrodesmus couvergens 434
ovalis 434
subulatus 434
Ascochyta Fremontiae 439
Asemum n itidum 70
Aspidium 416
munitiim 415
rigidum 415
Aster radulinus 401
Astragalus didymocarpus o95
leucupsis 395
Athysanus pusillus 390
Atriplex Breweri 411
californica 411
leucophylla 411
microcarpcv 411
Aiidibertia Palineri 410
Autaha 204
elegans 204
Avena fatua., 415
Baccharis consanguiuea 401
Douglasii 402
Plummerje 401
viminea '. 402
Baerla Burkei 151
Palmeri, var. Clemeutiu.i 403
Bambusina Brebissouii 432
Barinus 255
squamolineatus. . 256
Batrisus 173, 459
albionicus 173
cephalotes 456, 459, 463
deuticoUis 460, 461
formicarius 174
f oveicornis 456, 462
luculentus 456, 460
mendocino 174
mouticola 177
oceiduus 178
piinctifrons 456, 463
speculum 176
spretus 463
zephyrinus 175, 455
Behria. . 143
tenuiflora 143
Berula augustifolia. 399
Bigelovia veneta 400
var, sedoides 400
Biuneya notabilis 361
Biotis 456
formicarius 456, 482
Blackbird, bicolored 428
Brewer's 422, 428, 453
tricolored 428
yellow-headed 428
Bluebird, mountain 272, 318, 431
western 424, 431
Bloomeria 129
aurea 413
Bolitochara 260
Bolitopliagus 254
Botany of California and Parts adjacent
—Studies in 125, 377
Botany of Santa Cruz Island 377
Brachytarsus scabrosus 66
Bradycinetus 61
Hornii 61
Brassica nigra 390
Brevoortia 129
Brickellia Californica 400
Brodisea — Genera confused under the
name of 155
BrodiEBa 125, 126,127, 130
californica 136
capitata 133, 134, 135
congesta 131, 132, 133,134, 135
grandiflora 136
iusularis . 134, 413
multiflora 132
parvi/lora 132
pulchella 133
volubilis 130, 132
Bromus 415
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
527
Bryaxis , 179,181, 182,183, 465
arizoiice 456, 465
infinita 184
texaua 183, 466, 482
Bubo virginiauus subarcticias 421, 426
Bunting, lazuli 429
Bush-Tit, californian 424, 431
Buteo borealis calurus 279, 421, 426
Byrrhidse 166
Calais 45, 48
Clevelandi 153
graciloba.. 54
Kelloggii 49
Lindleyi 48, 49
linearif olia 48, 405
macrochaeta 49
Parryi 49, 153
pluriseta 405
Calandrinia Menziesii 392
Callipepla californica 425, 452
vallicola 420
Calliprora 139
Calocalais 48
Calochortus 413
€aloderma 3, 5, 38. 229, 230
angulatum 7
continens.. .. 6
contractum 9, 10, 11
luculentum 10
mobile 8
reductum 11
rugosum 5, 7
tantillum 12
Campylsea dupetitboiiarsi 367
sequoicola 367
fidelis inf umata 367
traskii diabloensis 367
€ampylorhynchus brunneicapillus 430
Capsella bursa-pastoris 390
divaricata 390
Caracara, Guadalupe 281
■Cardamine Jilifolia 390
integrifolia 389
Nuttallii 389
oligosperma 390
paucisecta 389
€arex 4^4
angustata 414
Carpodacus amplus 293
frontalis rhodocolpus 422, 428, 453
Castilleia affinis 409
hololeuca 409
Cathartes aurea 420
Ceanothus arboreus 1 44, 393
.422,
Ceanothus crassifolius
Centaurea melitensis
Cerambycidaj
Cerasus occidentalis
ChaetoiDhloeus hystrix
Charasea fasciata
Cheilanthes Californicus
Chenopodium ambrosioides
album
Calif oruicum
murale
Chickadee, mountain
Chondestes grammacus strigatus
Chordeiles virginiauus henryi
Chorizanthe staticoides
Chrysomelidae
Clarkia elegans
Clay touia perf oliata
Clematis ligusticifolia
Cleridse
Closterium acerosum
Diana?
parvulum
pronum
rostrbtum
setaceum
Cnicus fontinalis
lilacinus
neglectus
Coccothraustes vespertina
Colaptes cafer.288, 289, 290, 291, 421, 426,
rufipileus . . . .273, 285, 288, 289, 290,
Coleoptera, larval history of
N. A. Descriptive notices of
New species of
Colusa 259,
Comarostaphylis diversifolia 386,
Compositae, cichoriaceous
Conferva ?
Conium maculatum
Conulus fulvus
Convolvulus arvensis
Binghamise 417,
luteolus 417, 418,
macrostegius
occidentalis 417
sepium 417,
villosus
Conyza Coulteri
Corethrogyue filagiuifolia
Corvus americanus
Cosmarium aculeatum
amcenum
bioculatum
393
405
70
431
415
411
411
411
411
424
429
426
411
67
71
432
432
432
432
432
432
151
404
404
449
452
291
64
157
61
260
406
41
437
399
359
408
418
441
408
418
418
441
401
401
422
432
432
432
528
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Cosmarium Brebissonii 433
contractum 433
crenatiim 433
ciacumis 433
exiguum 433
margaritiferum 433
meneghinii 433
moniliforme 433
nitiduliim 433
ornaturu 433
orthosticum 433
pachydermum 433
pseudotaxichondrum 433
pyramidatum 433
quadratum 433
Ralf sii 433
rhombiiaoides 433, 436
sublobatum 433
tetraophthalmum 433
triplicatum 433
tumidnm 433
Cotyledon laxa 397
lanceolata 397
Crane, sandhill 420
Crossbill, Mexican 297
Crossosoma 378
Crow, American 422
Cryptobium 33, 211
fractiforme 211
Cucurbitaria ribis 446
Curculionidae 166
Curculios 65,66, 67
Ciiscuta snbinclusa 408
Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis 422
Dacnochilus 38, 229
Datura meteloides 408
Dancus pusillus 399
Decarthron 464
Brendeli ? 436, 464
Delphinium 389
Dendroica sestiva 430
auduboni 307, 423, 430
Dendromecon flexile 389
Harfordii _ 379
Dentaria integnfolia 389
tenella 389
Desniidiiim Baileyi 432
Desmids of the Pacific Coast 432
Diabrotica 12- punctata 67
Diatoms 437
Diaporthe rostellata 445
tessera 445
Diatrype Rhois 444
Diatrypella Frostii , 444
Diatrypella prominens 444
Dichelostemma 127, 130, 132
Calif omicum 131
Diplacus arachnoideus 409
parviflorus 409
Diplodia frangulse 439
nerii 439
prof usa 439
DircaBa Riversii 68
Distichlis 7na»-i<tma 415
spicata 415
Ditaphrus 250
scymnoides 252, 264
Docidium baculum 432
minutum 432
Dodecatheon Jeffreyi 406
Dothidea morbosa 447
Dove, mourning 425
Downingia concolor 135
Draba cuneifolia 60
var. brevipes. ... 60
Sonorae 59
Drepanolobus 145, 146
crassifolius 147
lanatus 148
scoparius 147
Dryobates pubescens gairdneri 426
villosus harrisii 421
Eagle, golden 421
Echiaster 38, 232
Echidiocarya Calif ornica 407
Echidnoglossa 259, 260
Echinocystis Guadalupensis 398
lobata 521
macrocarpa 398
muricata. 522, 523
Eclipse, solar annular, March 5, 1886.. 91
Elaphidion imbelle 70
Eleates 253
occidentalis 254, 264
Eledona 254
Elymus condensatus 415
Emmenanthe penduliflora 407
Empidouax difficilis 427
Encelia Californica 402
Epilobium coloratum 398
Equisetum 415
Eremocarpus setigerus 412
Ergates spiculatus 70
Erigeron Canadensis 401
glaucns 401
stenophyllus 401
Eriogonum arborescens 379, 410
grande 410
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
529
Eriogoniim rubescens 410
Eriophyllum conf ertiflorum ... 403
staechadifolium 404
Eiodium cicutarium 392
moschatum 392
Erysimum pinnatum 390
Erythraea Douglasii 407
Eschscholtzia glatica 389
ramosa '. 389
Euastrum binale 434
elegans 434
inerme 434
simplex 434
spinosum 434
Eucalais 45
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia 407
Eulobus californiciis 398
Eumicroseris 45
Eumitocerus 206
tarsalis 207, 264
Euphorbia 56
Inaequilatera. . . 56, 57
Neo-Mexicana 56
Parishii 56
Kusbyi 57
sanguinea 56, 57
serpylUf olia 56, 57
var. cpnsanguinea 56
velutina 57
Eiiplectus 476
californiciis 456, 476
confluens 478
Exitrichites Zimmermanni. 482
Falco mexicanus 273
sparverius 280, 421, 426
Fauna, mammalian, of Madagascar, re-
marks on 519
Filago Galifornica 402
Flicker, Guadalupe 285, 290
red-shafted 421, 420, 452
species of 288, 289, 290, 291
Flora of the Coast Islands of Calitornia
in relation to recent changes in Phys-
ical Geography 515
Flycatcher, ash-throated 427
Baird's 427
Fossil and Sub-Fossil Land Shells in
the United States, corrections of ar-
ticle on. in Vol. I •.... 376
Frankenia grandifolia 391
Franseria bipinnatifida 402
Fungi of the Pacific Coast. V 438
Galium angustifolium 400
Galium aparine 400
buxifolium 150, 400
Catalinense 400
flaccidum 400
Geodetic data, standard 319
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis 430
Gilia atractyloides 407
filifolia 407
multicaulis 407
Gnaphalium decurrens, var. Californi-
cum 402
purpureum 402
ramosissimum 402
Sprengelii 402
Gnatcatcher, blue-gray 431
Gnomonia setacea 445
Godetia epilobioides 398
purpurea 398
Gonostoma Yateaii 355
Goldfinch, Arkansas 428
Lawrence's. 422, 429
Goose, American white-fronted 279
Grindelia latifolia 379
robusta 400
squarrosa 441
Grosbeak, black-headed 429, 449
Evening 449
Discovery of nest and eggs of. . 449
Grus mexicana 420
Guadalupe Island, additions to the or-
nithology of 269
Gull, western 274
Habenaria elegans 413
Habia melanocephala 429
Habrocerus 206
Hadobregmus gibbicollis 68
flarporhynchus redivivus 423, 430
Hawk, American sparrow 421
Cooper's 421
sharp-shinned 420, 426
Hazardia detonsa 401
serrata 401
Hedobia granosa 68
Helianthemum occidentale 144, 391
scoparium 391
Helianthus annuus 402
Helicodiscus lineatus 367
Heliotropium curassavicum 407
Helix ayersiana 361
dallii 3.55
diabloensis 363, 365
dupetithouarsi, 362, 363
facta 361
fidelis 355, 360, 362
530
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Helix mormonum 359,
remoudi
ruf ociucta
traski 361,362,363,
f rank!
tudiculata
Hemisteniis reconditus
tarsalis
Hemizoniafascicialata
Hesperobium 33, 38, 211,
calif ornicum 35,
Hesperocichla naevia
Hesperoscordum 128, 129,
Lewisii, -
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Heterothops
exilis
occidentis
Heuchera maxima .149,
Hieracium argutum
Holopleura Helena
Homseotarsus
Homalium algarum
Hookera 127, 130,
Calif ornica
coronaria 127,
filifolia
• minor
Orcuttii..
stellaris
terrestris
Hordeum mnrinum
Horkelia Calif ornica
var. sericea
Kelloggii
Parryi
Hosackia maritima
occulta
parviflora
Purshiana
strigosa
subpinnata
House Finch, crimson. 422, 428,
Guadalupe
Hvimmingbird, Anna's 292, 421,
black-chinned
calliope
rufous
Hyalina arborea
Breweri
cellaria
limatula
milium
364
361
361
364
359
359
261
261
403
228
36
318
139
142
397
263
397
406
71
36
236
136
136
136
138
186
138
137
137
137
415
416
416
416
416
395
394
395
395
395
395
453
293
427
427
452
427
359
367
367
367
367
Hyalina minuscula 367
Hyalotheca mucosa 432
Hydrophilidse 166
Hylesiuus crenatus 66
Hylotrupes ligneus - - 70
Hypochseris glabra 405
Icterus bullockii 428
cucullatus nelsoni ". 428
Ilyobates 260
Jay, blue-fronted 422
California 422, 427
Julus 72
Junco, Guadalupe 300
insularis 300
hyemalis oregonus 299, 423
Oregon 299, 423
Juncus Balticus 414
bufonius 414
effusus 414
Jupiter, transits of satellites 89
Kellermannia polygoni 439
sisyrinchii 439
yuccsegena 439
Kildeer 425
Kingbird, Arkansas 427, 452
Cassin's 427
Kinglet, dusky 314
ruby-crowned 424, 431
Krynitzkia Jonesii 407
leiocarpa 407
micromeros 407
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides 306, 430
Lark, ruddy-horned 421, 427
Larus occidentalis 274
Lathrimseum 243
humerale 243, 264
Lathrobium 38, 229
Lathyrus vestitus 395
Latitude of the Lick Observatory 121
Lavatera. 516, 518, 519
Layia platyglossa 403
Lena 211, 229
testacea 212
Lepidium Menziesii 390
nitidum 390
Lepidospartum squamatum 404
Lepigonum macrothecum 392
Leptacinus 261, 264
Leptogenius 214, 229
brevicornis 215, 225, 264
Leptorus 217, 220, 229
bicolor 222
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
531
Leptorus longiceps
picipes
texanus
versicolor,
Leptosphaeria arvensis.
Leptosyue gigantea
Leptura crassipes
224
264
221
224
445
402
71
71
121
413
367
367
367
253
167
169
170
170
171
168
169
408
232
232
232
32
23
22
18
32
28
28
19
17
24
18
27
232
17
232
25
, 18
21
1
Lomechusa 202
montana 202
Lonicera hispidula 400
subspicata 400
Lophiostoma acervatum 445
Loxia curvirostra stricklandi 297, 298
Lucanidae 70
Lupinus afi&nis 394
carnosulus 144
Chamissonis 393
Lick Observatory, latitude
Lilium Humboldtii
Limax agrestis
amalia hewstoni
campestris "
Limnichus
Limnocharis 166,
angustula 166, 167, 168,
alntacea 166, 167, 169,
congener 166, 167,
coniciventris 166, 167,
plcea ..166, 167,
polita 166,167,168,
Linaria Canadensis
Liparqcephalus 38, 229.
Lithocharis 1, 4, 14, 229,
alutacea
confluens
consanguinea 21,
contigua
convergens 15,
corticina
gregalis 26,
languida
latiuscula
lepida 16,
liictuosa
malaca
mimula
ochracea
puberiila
quadricollis
retrusa 24,
sinuatocollis 14,
sublesta
revision of
Lupinus hirsutissimus 394
microcarpua 394
nanus 394
truncatus 394
umbellatus 145
Lyetus striatus 69
Lyngbya ? 437
Lyonothamnus 378
asplenif olius 149, 379, 397
Lythrum Calif ornicum 397
" Macrocyclis " 376
vancouverensis 358
Macroscapa 127, 130
Madia filipes.. 403
Mairania alpina 489
Malacothrix incana 153, 386, 405
indecora 152. 405
squalida 152,406
tenuifolia 405
Malva parviflora 392
Malvastrum Thurberi, var. laxiflorum . 392
Manzanitas, Calif ornian 483
Marah minima 523
muricatus 521
priority of, over Megarrhiza 521
Matricaria occidentalis 150
Mazzantia galii 446
Meadowlark, western 293, 422, 428
Meconella denticulata 59
Oregana 59
Meconopsis beterophylla 389
Medicago denticiilata 394
Medon 229, 231
Megarrhiza Californica 522
Oregana 522
Melandryidse 68
Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi 421
Melica imperfecta 415
Melilotus parviflora 394
Melospiza fasciata heermanni 423
lincolni 302, 423
Mentzelia micrantba 398
Merismopedia glauca 437
Merula migratoria propinqua
317, 424. 431, 453
Mesembrianthemum sequilaterale 399
crystallinum 399
Mesitis tardii 66
Mesodon armigerus 358, 365, 367
ptycbophora 376
var. major 376
var. minor 376
Mesomphix duranti caelata 367
piano rboides 376
532
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Mesomphix, vancouverensis 367
sportella 359, 367
simplicilabris 367
Metaxyodonta 4, 29, 38, 232
alutacea 30
quadricollis 31, 32
Mexican names of birds 273, 274
Micrasis Mrtella 65. 67
Micrasterias furcata 434
pinnatifida 434
i-adiosa 434
Microphysa conspecta 367
pygmaea 367
Micropus Californicus 402
melanoleucus 291
Microseris 44, 45, 48. 49, 51, 52, 53, 54
acuminata 46
aphantocarpha 47
attenuata 46
Bigelovii 46, 47
Doiaglasii 45
elegaus , . . . 47
Forsteri 53
laciniata, var. procera 51
major 54
var. laciniata. 54
nutans 54
Parishii. . 46
platycarpha 45
procera 51
pygmsea., 47
sylvatica, var. Stillmani 52
troximoides 55
Milla 129, 135, 139
Mimulus cardinalis 409
floribuudus 409
nasutus 409
Mimus polyglottus 308, 430
Mirabilis Calif ornica 411
Mocking Bird 308, 430
Monarthrum dentigerum 66
Huttoni 66
scutellare 66
Montagnella tumefaciens 447
Muhlenbergia debilis ... 414
Myadestes townsendii 424
Myiarchus cinerascens 427
Nasturtium aquaticum 390
oflBcinale 390
Necydallis IsavicoUis 71
Nemophila racemosa 407
Nesting sites, unusual 451
Nicotiana Clevelendi 408
Nighthawk, western 426
Nisa 182
Nisaxis 182, 183, 466
cincinnata ... 456, 466, 482
maritima 456, 468
Nostoc 437
Nothocalais 54
cuspidata 55
Suksdorfii 54
ti'oximoides 55
Notholaena Candida 415
Nuthatch, red-bi-easted 313
slender-billed 424
Ocean Currents contiguous to the
Coasts of California
Oceauodroma leucorhoa 276, 278,
macrodactyla
OEdogonium undulatum
cryptoporum
CEnothera bistorta '■
cheiranthifolia
Hookeri
Odontaeus obesus
Oligomeris subulata
Oligopterus 4, 12, 38, 229,
cuneicoUis
Oncideres cingulatus
Ophiocytium cuspidatura
cochleare
majus
Opuntia Engelmanni, var. littoralis.. . .
Oreortyx pictits plumiferus
Oriole, Arizona hooded
Bullock's
Ornithogalum ixioides.
Ornithological observations in San Di-
ego County
Ornithology of Guadaliipe Island, ad-
ditions to
Orobauus
densus 246, 247,
rufipes 245, 247,
simulator
Oropus 196,
abbreviatus
convexus
interruptus 199,
montanus 456,
striatus
Oroscoptes montanus
Orthocarpus densiflorus
Orus 36, 38, 217, 226,
parallelus
391
231
13
65
437
437
437
398
420
428
428
142
419
269
245
264
264
247
479
200
198
482
479
197
307
409
229
227
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
633
Orus punctatus 264
Otocoris alpestris rubea ... .421, 427
Owl, American baru 426
burrowing 284, 426
Western horned 421, 426
Paederus 229
Parietaria debilis 412
Partridge, California 425
pliuned 420
valley 420
Parns garabeli 424
inornatiis 424
Passer domesticus 454
Passerella iliaca unalaschensia 303. 423
Passerina amoena 429
Patula perspectiva 355
striatella cronkhitei 35S, 359
Pectocarya penicillata 407
Pediastrum Boryanum 436
f orcipatum 436
Ehrenbergii 436
Pelecomalium 241
binotatum 241, 242, 264
modestum 241, 242
Pellaea andromedaefolia 415
ornitbopus 415
Penium digitus 432
minutum 432
curtus 432
Pentacaena ramosissima 392
Pentstemon cordifolius 409
Perezia microcephala 405
Perityle Fitchii 403
Peronospora oxybaphi 444
viticola 442
Pestalozzia gibbosa 439
Petre Guadalupe 450
Leach's 276
new subspecies from Guadalupe
Island 450
Petrochelidon lunifrons 429
Peucedanum ? 399
Phacelia hispida 407
Parryi 407
suflfrutescens 407
Phalsenoptilus nuttallii 426
Phalaris Canariensis 414
Phlceopterus 234
filicornis 234
PhcEbe, black 427
Say's 453
Phyllachora effusa 446
polemonii 446
Phyllachora pteridis 446
Phyllopappus lanceolatus 53
Phyllospadix Torreyi 414
Phyllosticta angelicae 438
cruenta 438
Pinophili 262
Pinus insignis 413
Pipit, American 307
Pipilo consobrinus 273, 303
f uscus crissalis 423, 429
maculatus megalonyx 423
Pisidium occidentale 357
Plagiobothrys Calif ornicus 407
Cooperi 407
Plantago major 410
patago nica 410
Platycerus 263
Agassii 70, 263
Californicus 263
depressus 263
Oregonensis 70, 263
Platyrhinus latirostris 66
Platystemon Californicus 389
Piatystethus spiculus 262
Platystigma denticulatum 389
Pleospora f raugulse 445
leguminum 445
oligomera 446
salsolae 445
typhse 446
Pogonocherus crinitus 71.
Polioptila ca;rulea 431
Polyborus lutosus 281
Polycaon conf ertus 69
Stoutii 68
Polydesmus 72
Polygonum aviculare 411
Polygyra harfordiana 356, 359
Polygyrella 356
Polypetalje, new 58
Polyphylla decemlineatus, 69
Polypodium Californicum 415
Polypogon Monspeliensis.. 414
Poocaetes gramineus confinis 429
Poor-will 426
Populus trichocarpa 412
Poway Valley, birds of 425
Prionus Californicus 64, 70
laticollis 64. 65
Prophysaon andersoni 367
hemphilli 367
Prunus ilicifolia 385
occidentalis 385, 395, 396, 486
Psaltriparus minimus californicus .424, 431
534
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Pselaphidae 166
some new North American 455
Pseudogryphus californianus 425
Pteris aquilina 415
Pterostegia drymarioides 411
Ptilinus basalis 65, 68
Ptilium 248
Hornianum 249
sulcatum 248, 264
Ptilocalais 53
gracililoba 54
major 54
nutans * 54
Ptilophora 42, 43, 53, 54
Ptinidae 68
Ptinus interruptus 68
quadrimaculatus 68
Puccinia artemisiarum 441
balsamorrhizsB 441
Clarkiae 441
convolvuli 441
Griudeliae 441
uigrescens 441
pimpinellse, 441
plumbaria 441
subcircinata 442
symphoricarpi 440
troximontis 441
■violse , 442
Wyethise 442
Puffinus gavia 275
Pulmonata, Alameda County 368
Bay Region 364
Biological Deductions 507
Coast Range South of Monterey 361
Contra Costa County 368
Extinct Species 355
Geographical Distribution 356
Geological Deductions 507
land, found around San Francisco
Bay 367
Marin County ■. 503
Napa County 505
Monterey County 498
San Benito County 498
San Francisco County 501
San Mateo County 499
Santa Clara County 497
Santa Cruz County 499
Sierra Nevada 357
Solano County 507
Sonoma County 504
West Coast— fossil and living.. 355, 497
Pupa arizonensis 361
Pupa ovata 361
Pupilla corpulenta 358, 360
rowelli 367
californica 367
Py tna 457
corticina 456, 458
Quercus agrifolia 413
chrysolepis 412
dumosa 412
parvula 413
tomentella 412
Raffrayia 478
Rafinesquia Californica 405
Ramona 213, 229
capitulum 213
Ramularia evonymi 438
heraclei 438
menthicola 438
mimuli 438
Ranunculus alismsefolius 58
Bolanderi 58
Californicus 388
Deppei 388
Lemmoni 58
lingua 58
Ludovicianus 58
Red-tail, western 279, 421, 426
Regulus calendula 424, 431
obscurus 273, 314
Reichenbachia 182, 183. 186
albionica 189
def ormata 195, 264
franciscana 186, 193, 264
fundata 186, 192, 264
gracilicornis 186, 190
informis 186, 189, 264
nevadensis 186, 191
tumida 180
tumidicornis 186, 187, 264
tumorosa 186, 264
Renocis 257
heterodoxus 258, 264
Rhamnus crocea 393
ilicifolia 393
insularis 392
Rhaphidium polymorpbum 437
Rhexidius ... 478
granulosus 4.56, 478, 482
Rhus diversiloba 393
integrifolia 393
ovata 393
Ribes subvestitum 39 7
Ricinus communis 412
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
535
Robin, westeru 317, 424,431, 453
Rock Wren, Guadalupe 308
Rcestelia lacerata 440
Rosa Californica 397
Rosalia funebris 71
Rough-leg, f errugineus 421
Rubus ursinus 396
Rumex conglomeratus. . 410
crispus 410
maritlmus 410
salicif olius 410
Bupalleya 127, 130
Rybaxis 182
sanguinea 182
conjuucta 182
Breudelii 182
Ryncolus 66
Sagina occidentalis 392
Salix laevigata 412
lasiolepis . . 412
longifolia 412
Salpinctes guadalupensis 308
obsoletus 430
Salvia Columbarise 409
Sambucus glauca C99
Samolus Valerandi, var. Americanus . . 406
Sanicula laciniata 399
Santa Cruz Island, Botany of 377
Saturn, Notes on 73
Saxifraga malvsefolia 379, 397
Sayornis nigricans 427
saya 453
Scarabseidse 69
Sciocharis 232
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus.422, 428, 453
ScolytidaB 66, 166
Scolytus destructor 66
Scopaiodera 217, 220, 229
nitida 220, 264
Scopseus 38,216, 217, 229
brunnipes 220
laivigatus 217, 264
rotundiceps 217
truncaticeps 219
Scorzonella 49, 50, 54
Bolanderi 52
Howellii, 52
laciniata 51
leptosepala 51
megacephala 50
montaua 53
paludosa 52
pratensis 51
Scorzonella procera 50
scapigera 53
sylvatica 52
Scorzonera Lawrencii 53
scapigera 53
Selenites 3'76
Senecio Douglasii 404
Septoria destruens 438
epilobii 438
cenotherae 438
pentstemonis 438
rubi 438
scutellariSB 439
stachydis 4-39
symphoricarpi 439
Seubertia 128, 139
Shearwater, black- vented 275
Shrike, white-rumped 306, 430
Sialiaarctica 318, 431. 454
mexicana 424, 431, 454
Silene antirrhina 391
gallica, ^^^
laciniata 392
quinquevulnera 391
Silpha 1^1
aenescens ^"^^
cervaria ^''^
ramosa l''l> ^'^^
Silphidae 1^6
Silybum Marianum 404
Sinodendron rugosum 70
Sinoxylon declive 68
Sisymbrium canescens 390
officinale 390
pinna turn 390
Sisyrinchium bellum 413, 439
Sitta canadensis 313
caroliuensis aculeata 424
Smicrus 249
americanus 249, 264
Solanum Douglasii 408
Xanti, var. Wallacei 408
Solidago Californica 401
Solitaire, Townsend's 424
Sonchus asper 406
oleraceus 406
Sonoma 195, 480
cavifrons 456, 481
corticina 456, 480, 482
isabell^ 481. 482
parviceps 481,482
Sordaria lanuginosa 445
Spanish Voyages of Discovery on the
Coast of California 325
536
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Sparrow, Bell's 429
Gambel's 422, 429
golden-crowned 272, 298. 423
Heermanu's song 423
Lincoln's 302, 423
Townsend's 272, 303, 423
western chipping 299, 429
western lark., 422, 429
western savanna 422, 429
western vesper 429
Sparrow-Hawk, American 280, 426
Specularia perfoliata 406
Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea 284, 426
Sphacele f ragraus 409
Sphffirella gaultherise 445
Molleriana 445
Sphaerozosma excavatum 432
serratum 432
Splnus lawrencei 422, 429
psaltria 428
Spizella socialis arizonse 299, 429
Stachys acuminata 410
Staphylinidae 166
Stars, occultations of, by dark limb of
the Moon 448
Staurastrum alternans 434
arctiscon 434
aristiferum 434
Avicula 434
Brasiliense, var. triquetrum . , .434, 436
brevispina 434
crenatum 434
cnspidatum 434
cyrtocerum. 435
dejectnm 435
Dickiei 435
echinatum 435
eustephanum 435
f urcigerum 435
fusiforme 435
gracile 435
hirsutum 435
inconspicnum 435
leptocladiim 435
margaritaceum 435
muticum 435
paradoxiim 435
scabrum 435
Sebaldi 435
subtelif erum 435
tricorne 435
trifidnm . 435
xiphidiophorum ... 435
Stellaria media 392
Stellaria nitens 392
Stenini 261,262
Stepbanomeria cichoriacea 387, 405
elata 405
intermedia 54
tomentosa 152, 405
virgata 405
Stigmatea geranii 445
Stilieopsis 529
Stilicus 38, 229
Stipa 414
Strix pratincola 426
Stropholirion 127,130
Calif ornicum 131
Stiirnella magna neglecta 293, 422, 428
Suaeda Torreyana 411
Submarine Valleys on the Pacific Coast
of the United States 265
Succinea ntittalliana 358, 367
oregonensis 358, 367
rusticana 367
sillimani 367
Btretchiana 358, 360
Sunius 229
Swallow, cliflf 429
violet-green 423, 430
Swift, white-throated 291
Symphoricarpus mollis 399
Synaphceta Guexi 71
Synchitrium myosotidis 440
Syrmatium 145
argophyllum 147
cytisoides 147
decumbens 148
dendroideum 146, 394
distichum 148
glabrum 147
Heermanni 148
junceum 147
micranthum 147
Nevadense 148
niveum 148. 394
Ornithopus 148
patens 147, 394
procumbeus 148
prostratum 147
sericeum 147
tomentosum 148
Veatchii 148
Tachycineta thalassina 423, 430
Tachyusa 203
crebrepunctata 203
Tauscheria 384
TenebriouidfB 166
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
537
Tetraodon meleagris 155
setostis 155
Thanasimus eximius 71
Thelypodium lasiophyllum 390
Thesium laticolle 482
Thrasher, Calif ornian 423, 430
sage 307
Thrush, dwarf hermit 316, 424, 431
varied 272, 318
Thryothorus brevicaudus 273, 312
Thyce 39
marginata 39
squamicollis 40
Thyridium cingulatum 446
Thysanocarpiis conchulif erus 390
ramosus 390
Tillfea minima 397
Titmouse, plain 424
Towhee, Californian 423, 429
Guadalupe. 303
spurred 423
Trachysectus 38, 229, 230
conflueus 230
Transits— II and III Satellites of Jupi-
ter, .. .. 89
Trichobasis helianthellae 440
Trichonyx striatus 197
sulcicollis 197
Trichopterygidge 166
Tricophya 207
Trifolium amplectens 394
ciliatum 394
exile 394
fucatum 394
microcephalum 394
microdon 394
tridentatixm 394
Trimium brevicorne 201
Triodopsis loricata 359, 367
Triteleia 128, 129, 138
Bridgesii 141
Candida 139
crocea 141
gracilis 1*1
grandiflora 139
Howellii 139-
hyacinthina 1*2
ixioides 1*2
laxa 1*0
Lemmonse 1*1
lilacina 1*3
lugens 1*2
peduncularis 1*0
Trochilus alexandri *27
Trochilus anna 292, 421, 427
calliope 452
ruf us 427
Trogaster aberrans 197
Troglodytes aedon parkmanii . . 424, 430, 453
Trogosita virescens 71
Trogositidse 71
Troximon cuspidatum 54, 55
heterophyllum 406
marginatum 55
Turdus aonalaschkae 316, 424, 431
Tychus 469
bipuncticeps 456, 470
sonomsB 456, 469, 470, 482
Tympanis f rangulae 447
Typha bracteata 413
Tyrannus verticalis *27, 452
vocif erans 427
Uniola spicata 415
Uredo 440
iridis 440
Urinator pacificus 269
Uromyces euphorbieae 440
psoralese 441
zygadeni 441
Urtica holosericea 412 •
urens 412
Vaccinium ovatum *06
Valsa exigua ***
femoralis ***
impulsa ***
Venegasia carpesioides 403
Verbena prostrata 409
Vicia Americana 395
exigua 395
Vireo gilvus 430
warbling *30
Vitrina pf eiflferi 358
Volcano Mountains, birds of 419
Voyages of Discovery on the Coast of
California— Kir ly Spanish 325
Vrilletta convexa 68
Vulture, California *25
turkey *20
Warbler, Audubon's 307, 423, 430
yellow *30
Washoe Rocks 93
Waxwing, Cedar 305
Weather Types on the Pacific Coast .... 77
WoUastonia quercicola 66
Woodpecker, Californian 421
Gairdner's *26
Harris's *21
538
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Woodwardia radicans 415
Wren, cactus 430
Guadalupe 312
Parkman's 424, 430, 453
rock 430
Wren-Tit 431
Xanthidium antilopjeum 433
cristatum 434
fasciculatum 434
Xanthiutn Canadense 402
Xanthocepbalus xanthocephalus 428
JTerobotrys venulosa 490
Xylococcus bicolor 496
Xylotrichus nauticus 71
planifrons 71
Yellow Throat, western 430
Zauschneria Californica 397
cana 398
villosa 397
Zenaidura macroura 425
Zonotrichia coronata 298, 423
gambeli 422, 429
Zostera marina .< 414
Zygadenus Fremonti 413
Zygobaris 256
ERRATA.
Page 41, fourth line from top, for "Chicoriaceous " read " Cichoriaceous."
" 44, third and sixth line from bottom, for " Microsersis " read "Micro-
seris."
53, eighteenth line from top, for " Fosteri " read "Forsteri."
tenth 57, " " "incequilatera " read "inaequilaterd,"
125, 127, for "BrolicBa" read "Brodi^a."
141, twelfth line from bottom, for " Subertia " read "Ssubertia."
280, in table. For "385 mm." read "384 mm."
283, '• " 169U read 1691?.
• 1699.5 •' 1699?.
'• 2408 6 " 2408?.
" 2504,5 " 250t? .
" 258U ' 2581?.
•• 2409 6 " 2409?.
288, second line, for "form' read ' forms."
289, second table, for "Sco:f ' read "Scott Mt."
" "Mar. 20, 1883," read "Mar. 20, 1880."
290, eleventh line, for "Guadeloupe" read "Guadalupe."
291, fourteenth line, for "Guadaloupe" read "Guadalupe."
299, thirteenth line, for "by omitting" substitute "it having omitted."
" ' eighth line, for "Coae's" read "Cones'."
303, second table, for "? ad." read "ad."
308, eleventh line from top, for "polyglottos" read "polyglottus "
" third " " bottom, for " guadeloupensis " read " guadalu-
pensis."
" 374, fourteenth line from bottom, for 270 read 210.
The reader will observe that throughout "Helix" is used in a general way
for "ilelicoid species," especially Nos. 26 to 39, in table on p. 367.
Bulletin— Cal Acad. Sci.
Vol. IL No 5, pi.
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Plate VII.
Photo-Litho. MacCabe a. Co., S. F.
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PrDfilE E.
ProfllB F.
SEction of the North Pacific DcBan,
hp.tWBBn Trinidad Head, CaL, and
a position 220 miles Ulest from it,
showing Isothermal Lines.
Section of the North Pacific Ocean,
between San Diego, CaL, and a
position 240 miles Ulest from it,
showing Isothermal Lines.
0 c! Murs
^% Mgggggy
,^J
?tO 200
laC MILES
Chart I.
Current Chart
of fhB North Paci&c DcBan, off
the Coast of California.
NOTE.
The straight arrows, barbed on one side, represent the Under
Surface Currents, and point in the direction toward which they
set. The figures represent the diflferent depths in fathoms at
which the currents were observed, and their rates per hour in
nautical miles or fractions thereof.
The crooked arrows represent the Surface Currents, and point
in the direction toward which they set. The figures represent
their rates per hour in nautical miles or fractions thereof.
The letters refer to the season of the yeai: in which the obser-
vation was made. S. — Spring. Su. — Summer. A. — Autumn.
W.— Winter.
Section
of the North PaciSc Ocean,
showing Surface Temperature
off the Coast of California,
Chart II.
Chart III.
SEctinn
of thE North PaciHc DcEan,
showing tBmpBratuTB 10 fathoms hslou/ surfacs,
offths Coast of California.
.Bulletin C a I. Acad. Sa.Vol.2
T^lale XVI
T.L.C.
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